Between two selves: comparing global and local predictors of speed of switching between self-aspects. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brown, Christina M.; Bailey, Veronika S.; Stoll, Harrison; McConnell, Allen R.
• Is Part Of: Self and identity. Volume 15:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 89
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Self-concept -- self-aspect -- identity -- roles; Self -- Periodicals; Identity (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Cognition -- Periodicals; Motivation (Psychology) -- Periodicals; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2015.1082499
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1529-8868

Abstract

Abstract: Self-concepts are composed of multiple self-aspects that vary in their momentary accessibility. When a particular self-aspect is active, it guides one's cognition and behavior in a context-specific fashion. The current research quantified the ease with which people switch from one active self-aspect to another using a novel reaction time approach. Specifically, two studies tested how self-aspect switching speed is influenced by global (i.e., self-complexity) and local (i.e., self-aspect importance) features of the self-concept. The findings revealed that people transition between self-aspects more slowly when switching from a more important self-aspect to a less important one. In other words, important self-aspects are privileged within the working self-concept.