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INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfrlm master. UMI films the text direct^ from the origmal or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and disseitation copes are in typewriter ù o t, while others may be from any type o f computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent npon the qnniity of the copy submitted. Broken or indistmct prmt, colored or poor quality illustrations and photogr^hs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can advosety affect reproduction. In the unlik^ event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missmg pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the origituü, b%inning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overiaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back o f the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographicaOy in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 STATE SELF-ESTEEM REACTIONS TO REJECTION: AN APPLICATION OF THE SOCIOMETER MODEL TO WOMEN WITH AND WITHOUT EATING DISORDER BEHAVIOR DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School o f The Ohio State U niversity By Deborah L. Downs, M.A. ***** The Ohio S tate U niversity 1997 D issertation Committee: Approved by Professor Richard K. Russell, Adviser Professor Nancy Betz Advisor Professor W. Bruce Walsh Department of Psychology ÜMX Nuaber: 9801680 UMI Mkrofonn 9801680 Copyright 1997, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 ABSTRACT People are commonly concerned about the degree to which they are accepted or rejected by others, although the extent of this concern may be greater for some groups than others. The Sociometer Theory of self esteem proposes that the increase in negative emotions, and decrease in state self-esteem that follows social rejection, is an adaptive response that promotes group living. Previous research has shown that subjects report greater levels of negative affect, and lower levels of state self-esteem when they believe, or imagine that, they have been socially excluded. The purpose of the present study was twofold. First, although previous research has found support for the presence of a sociometer that "monitors" social inclusion, the present study was the first to examine the sociometer hypothesis in live, face-to-face interactions. Second, individuals who scored high and low on an eating disorder measure were included to examine the hypothesis that the sociometer may not function normally for individuals with eating disorders. It was hypothesized that people who reported higher levels of eating disorder characteristics would report more negative reactions to social rejection. The results of the study found support for the ii hypothesis that social rejection leads people to feel more negatively about themselves» experience fewer positive feelings, and think more negative thoughts. Support for the hypothesis that subjects with high eating disorder scores would respond significantly more negatively to rejection was mixed. Although rejected subjects with high eating disorder scores reported more negative thoughts, changes in state self-esteem and affect were unrelated to eating disorder scores. Future studies of people's reactions to social rejection in face-to-face interactions should aim to develop a rejection condition that is subtle and prevents ceiling e ffe c ts . m ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank my adviser. Rich Russell, for his encouragement, support and professional expertise without which this project would not have been possible. Also, I would like to express appreciation to my d isse rta tio n committee members, Nancy Betz and Bruce Walsh, fo r th e ir time and valuable contributions. Special thanks go to Mark Leary for his encouragement and theoretical contributions, particularly In relation to the continued development of the sociometer model of self-esteem. And Andy Clifford, you have a special place In the process of this dissertation; thank you for your time and efforts throughout! I am also grateful to John Downing for his statistical consultation and support, and to Lelsa and Mary for their understanding presence before, during and beyond the dissertation process. Finally, I would like to extend a special thank you to my research assistants Casey, Gretchen, Jameson, Kimberly, Melissa, Stacy and Tina whose enthusiasm, dedication, and humor made data collection such an enjoyable experience. IV VITA May 12, 1966..................................................... Born - Wooster, Ohio 1988 ................. B.A. Psychology and Spanish, Denison University 1993 M.A. Psychology, Wake Forest University 1993-199 4...............Academic Advisor, The Ohio S tate U niversity 1994-199 6........... Teaching Associate, The Ohio State University 1995-199 6.........................Student Personnel Assistant, Counselor The Ohio S tate U niversity 1996........................................... Adjunct Faculty, Otterbein College 1996 - present .......................................................Predoctoral Intern The U niversity of South Florida Tampa, Florida PUBLICATIONS Research Publication Leary,LccLrYy M.PI» R.,K* 9 Tambor,IttWDOi 9 E.C» Sw# .. #Terdal, 6 liQ ttl 9 S.w# K.. #& 0 1 Downs,UOWnS 9 D.U# L. L #(1995 ) )• The functionfunction, of self-esteem feelings:» Testing the sociometer hypothesis." *lQM.r.nâ.1-ftf-P.ersonaJit.Y-âDd .Sflcial. PsYcholoqiY. Leary, M. R., & Downs, D. L. (1995). Interpersonal functions of the self-esteem motive: The self-esteem system as a sociometer. In M. Kernis (Ed.), Efficacv. aoencv. and self-esteem. New York: Plenum. H eft, H. & Downs. D. L. (1995). W. B. Walsh, K. H. Craik, and R. Price (Eds.) (1992). Persfln-EpvlrQDBftnt-EiychQ]o,9y;■Hg.dg.ls-and. ^ P erspectives. H illsd ale. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum A ssociates, Publishers. X1+ 269 ppT + indices. ISBN 0-8058-0344-0 Leary, M. R.. Nezlek, J. B., Downs, D., Radford-Davenport, J., Martin, J., & McMullen, A. (1994). Self-Presentation in everyday interactions: Effects of target fam iliarity and gender composition. Journal of Personalitv and Social Psvcholoov. SI, 664-673. V FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Psychology , ^ ^ , Studies in counseling and social psychology VI TABLE OF CONTENTS Eagê A bstract.............................................................................................................................ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv V ita...................................................................................................................................... V List of Tables .............................................................................................................. ix Chapters : 1. INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................1 1.1 Social inclusion as a fundamental motive .........................................3 1.1.1. Attachment theory .................................................3 1.1.2. Social exclusion theory ......................................................................... 5 1.1.3. The need to belong ...............................................6 1.2 Social rejection and self-esteem .....................................................11 1.2.1. Self-esteem ........................................................... 11 1.2.2. Etiology of self-esteem...................................13 1.2.3. Sociological perspectives...............................13 1.2.4. Clinical perspectives .......................................16 1.2.5. The self-esteem motive.....................................19 1.2.6. The sociometer.....................................................19 1.2.7. Social interactions and self esteem....................................................................20 1.2.8. Personal exclusion and state self esteem....................................................................21 1.2.9. Trait self-esteem and exclusion .................. 22 1.3 A dysfunctional sociometer .................................................................23 1.4 Eating disorders and the sociometer .............................................. 23 1.4.1. The clinical picture ........................................ 24 1.4.2. Social components of anorexia and bulimia nervosa ..............................................................27 1.4.3. Purpose of study ................................................ 28 1.4.4. Hypotheses.............................................................29 2. METHOD.......................................................................................................................31 2.1. Participants .............................................................................................31