Self-esteem as an interpersonal monitor: The sociometer hypothesis.

Abstract

Five studies tested hypotheses derived from the sociometer model of self-esteem according to which the self-esteem system monitors others' reactions and alerts the individual to the possibility of social exclusion. Study 1 showed that the effects of events on participants' state self-esteem paralleled their assumptions about whether such events would lead others to accept or reject them. In Study 2, participants' ratings of how included they felt in a real social situation correlated highly with their self-esteem feelings. In Studies 3 and 4, social exclusion caused decreases in self-esteem when respondents were excluded from a group for personal reasons, but not when exclusion was random, but this effect was not mediated by self-presentation. Study 5 showed that trait self-esteem correlated highly with the degree to which respondents generally felt included versus excluded by other people. Overall, results provided converging evidence for the sociometer model.

The nature and correlates of self-esteem trajectories in late life.

“…For example, consistent with Sociometer theory, self-esteem often shows strong associations with social inclusion and positive social interactions (Denissen, Penke, Schmitt, & van Aken, 2008;Leary & Baumeister, 2000;Leary, Tambor, Terdal, & Downs, 1995). Because close social relationships constitute a relatively stable and important aspect of late-life functioning (Lang & Carstensen, 2002;Wrzus et al, 2012), we expect that the social domain continues to play a key role in shaping people's self-esteem.…”

Social acceptance and self-esteem: Tuning the sociometer to interpersonal value.

“…Sociometer theory proposes that self-esteem is a barometer of one's past, present, and future perceived relational value. People high in self-esteem (HSEs) feel that they were, are, and will be valued by others, whereas people low in self-esteem (LSEs) doubt their value as relational partners, and project these doubts onto future relationships (see Leary et al, 1995;Murray, Holmes, & Collins, 2006).…”

Living Together Apart: Perceived Concealment as a Signal of Exclusion in Marital Relationships

“…Some evidence provides indirect support for this suggestion. Participants who are led to believe that others rejected them subsequently rate those others less positively than do participants who are led to believe that others accepted them (Buckley, Winkel, & Leary, 2004;Leary, Tambor, Terdal, & Downs, 1995). Excluded people rate others as less friendly and they like them less (Williams et al, 2002).…”