We tested the hypothesis that low self-esteem persons use self-presentation to improve their affect. In Experiments 1-3, Ss high in self-esteem (HSE) and low in self-esteem (LSE) responded publicly or privately to positive or negative feedback from a computer "personality test" (Experiments 1 and 2) or from a peer (Experiment 3). In public, LSE Ss complimented positive sources and derogated negative sources more than their counterparts did. Experiment 2 showed that this was not due to another person's awareness of the feedback, ruling out a strict impression management interpretation. In Experiment 4, some Ss were coaxed to compliment the source of feedback and others were coaxed to derogate the source of feedback. When publicly complimenting positive feedback or derogating negative feedback, LSE Ss generally showed a rise in esteem relative to their counterparts. Based on these findings, a model of affect regulation in interpersonal relations is proposed.Typically, individuals react favorably to compliments and unfavorably to insults (e.g.,

A multi-stage social dilemma was used to explore the notion that focusing on part rather than all of a complex problem would affect self-efficacy and action. In two experiments subjects considered a multi-stage game asking them to invest an initial sum of money in hopes of earning a larger bonus to be paid if provision points were met at all stages (a "stage-conjunctive'' task). Results indicated that under most conditions considered, presentation of the whole problem encouraged cooperation. The opposite pattern occurred when group members were asked to complete very demanding stages first. We suggest that these results depend strongly on the stageconjunctive nature of our task.

William James, in The Principles of Psychology, proposed three primary facets of the empirical self. the material self (material possessions); the spiritual self, or self as knower; and the social self, as seen by others. This article draws parallels and distinctions between the spiritual self/social self dichotomy introduced by James and the current-day private self/public self dichotomy. It then reviews recent evidence for, and theoretical processes of, the affective components of the private self and public self. A model of self-presentation, suggesting that self-presentation behavior is often systematically aimed toward the regulation of self-affect, is discussed Evidence in support of this model is introduced—namely, that individuals who have negative self-regard use social relations and their "social selves" to enhance their self-concepts.