Discrepancies of Implicit and Explicit Self-Esteem as Predictors of Attributional Bias and Paranoia
- Author:
You Jin PARK
1
;
Jin Young PARK
;
Kyung Mi CHUNG
;
Yul Mai SONG
;
Kyungun JHUNG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Implicit self-esteem; Explicit self-esteem; Self-esteem discrepancy; Attributional bias; Paranoia
- MeSH: Bias (Epidemiology); Female; Hostility; Humans; Intention; Paranoid Disorders
- From:Psychiatry Investigation 2019;16(3):185-192
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to examine the association of implicit self-esteem, explicit self-esteem and their interaction with paranoia and attributional bias. The relationship of the size and the direction of the discrepancy between implicit and explicit self-esteem with paranoia and attributional bias was examined. METHODS: A total of 128 female college students participated. We administered the Implicit Association Test to assess implicit self-esteem, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale to measure explicit self-esteem. Paranoia Scale was used, and the attributional bias was assessed using the Ambiguous Intentions Hostility Questionnaire. RESULTS: Results showed that explicit but not implicit self-esteem was negatively associated with paranoia, blame bias and hostility perception bias in ambiguous situations. The interaction of implicit and explicit self-esteem was associated with hostility perception in ambiguous situations. As for the discrepancy, the size of the discrepancy between implicit and explicit self-esteem was positively associated with hostility perception in ambiguous situations. Moreover, the direction of the discrepancy was specifically relevant: damaged self-esteem (high implicit and low explicit self-esteem) was associated with increased levels of paranoia, blame bias and hostility perception in ambiguous situations. CONCLUSION: These findings provide new insights into the role of the implicit and explicit self-esteem in attributional bias and paranoia and point to damaged self-esteem as a possible vulnerability marker for illogical attribution of blaming others and perceiving hostility in social situations.
