On the relationship between self-focused attention and psychological disorder: A critical reappraisal.

Abstract

A recent review of the literature on the role of self-focused attention in psychological dysfunction (Ingram, 1990) is critically examined. This article (a) reexamines the evidence relevant to Ingram's proposal that self-awareness is a nonspecific factor involved in virtually all forms of psychopathology and argues that this conclusion is not warranted by the existing evidence; (b) takes issue with his premise that the fact that self-awareness is associated with a variety of psychological dysfunctions poses a conceptual dilemma; (c) corrects several important inaccuracies and mischaracterizations in his presentation of Carver and Scheier's (1981) cybernetic control theory and Pyszczynski and Greenberg's (1987) self-regulatory perseveration theory; and (d) critiques the "self-absorption" model that he proposed as an alternative to extant theories and concludes that this conceptualization does not add to the understanding of either self-awareness processes or psychopathology.

Multidimensional Gender Identity and Psychological Adjustment in Middle Childhood: A Study in China

“…Whether or not one feels content about his or her gender may be less important for Chinese children than for their Western counterparts. In China and most East Asian cultures, self-contentment is viewed somewhat negatively as one's lack of motivation for future self-improvement (Bond and Chi 1997;Heine et al 1999;Pyszczynski et al 1991). Chinese parents tend to educate their children to be modest and avoid being satisfied with oneself (Lau and Yeung 1996).…”

Empirical examination of the individual‐level personality‐based theory of self‐management failure

“…However, extreme self-focus can be counterproductive, especially when conscious attention is fixed on negative expectancies or aversive emotions (Ingram, 1990). Excessive self-absorption with emotional distress, past mistakes, and/or self-dissatisfaction can lead to behavioral dysfunction, performance impairment, depression, and substance abuse (Pyszczynski, Greenberg, Hamilton, & Nix, 1991). This self-defeating behavior may affect monitoring as well as the likelihood of engaging in procrastination.…”

Reduced negative BOLD responses in the default-mode network and increased self-focus in depression

“…Increased self-focus is characterized by heightened attention on internal perceptual events (Ingram et al 1990;Pyszczynski et al 1991) as well as enhanced self-refl ection with a repetetive and passive focus on one ' s negative emotions (Mor and Winquist 2002;Treynor 2003;Northoff 2007).…”