On the self-protective nature of inconsistency-negativity management: Using the person memory paradigm to examine self-referent memory.

2000/12/01 by Constantine Sedikides, Jeffrey Green · 5 citations
Psychology · #Cognition #Cognitive Functions and Memory #Cognitive psychology #Deception detection and forensic psychology #Developmental psychology #Metacognition #Negativity effect #Psychology #Referent #Self-enhancement #Social psychology

paper · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.79.6.906

openalex publication_date 2000/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25

Abstract

How do individuals remember feedback that is inconsistent or negative? According to the inconsistency–negativity resolution model, individuals are motivated to reduce uncertainty and resolve inconsistency even when threat to self is potential. They more deeply process and better remember negative self- than other-referent information. According to the inconsistency–negativity neglect model, individuals are motivated to protect the self against threat. They engage in more shallow processing and remember less negative self- than other-referent information. Participants read and recalled either self- or other-referent mixed-valence information. The neglect model was supported in personality and minimal feedback settings. A chronometric exploration of processing mechanisms and the ruling out of a retrieval interference account clarified aspects of the model. Individuals are hypersensitive to threat potential: They will protect the self against even hypothetical threat.

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