"Certainly I am not attractive, but very intelligent.' Self-Affirmation Effects and Controllability

This study examined the effects of controllability on self-affirmation processes. The core question was: Does threatening a particular facet of one's self lead to self-affirmation processes in other non-related self-dimensions. In two trials subjects conducted self-evaluations on valent attributes that were either controllable or uncontrollable. Before the second trial, they had to rate highly or non-attractive models. This was done to question perceived physical attractiveness. Presenting highly attractive models led to reduced attractiveness ratings, whereas presenting less attractive models led to higher attractiveness ratings. At the same time, subjects changed their self- evaluations. While self-evaluations for controllable attributes remained stable, positive uncontrollable attributes received higher self-ratings when highly attractive models were shown. Such asymmetrical effects are discussed against the backdrop of controllability.