CURRENT AND TYPICAL SELF-APPRAISALS - DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSIVENESS TO EVALUATIVE FEEDBACK AND IMPLICATIONS FOR EMOTIONS

Considerable controversy has surrounded the issue of whether self-evaluations are relatively stable or subject to substantial moment-to-moment shifts. In this article, we suggest that there is both a stable and an unstable component of self-evaluations. We propose that the stable component is reflected in one's TYPICAL self-appraisals and that the unstable component is reflected in one's CURRENT self-appraisals. We reasoned that typical appraisals would change little, if at all, following an evaluative event, whereas current appraisals would show substantial change. To test this hypothesis, we had subjects rate themselves along specific dimensions based on how they would evaluate themselves right now and how they would typically evaluate themselves. These ratings were made both before and after subjects received positive, negative, or no evaluative feedback. The results indicated that current self-appraisals declined substantially following negative feedback and became more positive following either positive or no evaluative feedback. Typical appraisals were much more resistant to change, although they did show an overall pattern of change similar to current appraisals. The relationship of self-appraisal change to emotional reactions was also assessed. Correlational analyses revealed that the magnitude of change in current, but not typical appraisals, was strongly related to emotional reactions. This was particularly true following negative feedback. Theoretical implications are discussed. © 1990.