Negative Affect Essay, Research Paper
Excuse-making is a common strategy people invoke to feel better following a negative event. When excuses are advanced in public, their effectiveness may depend on whether they are validated by others. The present study was conducted to assess the emotional impact on participants of having their excuses validated by a supportive stranger in a conversation about a real life negative event, as compared to receiving no support from an attentive audience. Participants were thirty one male and thirtynine female undergraduate students, who participated for course credit. participants’ affective state was assessed prior to and after talking to a supportive stranger who either validated or did not validate their excuses. It was hypothesized that participants in the excuse-validation condition would report lower levels of negative affect at the post-conversation assessment than participants whose excuses were not validated. The results indicated that excuse-validation is an effective form of social support and is necessary for publicly made excuses to alleviate negative affect.
Social psychology is replete with evidence that people who receive information that threatens their sense of self, such as a negative evaluation, will distort the information in self-serving ways (see Miller & Porter, 1988; Snyder & Higgins, 1988; Taylor & Brown, 1988, for reviews). Snyder, Higgins, and Stucky (1983) have demonstrated that making excuses (e.g., trivializing negative feedback, making an external attribution for the cause of an unfavorable outcome) is a common way in which people attempt to construct a less threatening reality following upsetting experiences.
In vestigations of excuses and related processes tend to focus on excuses people make in private, laboratory contexts after receiving some form of negative feedback (see Snyder & Higgins, 1988, for a review). The results of this research suggest that processes that help people evade responsibility for their negative outcomes, such as excuses, are beneficial. Excuses preserve people’s self-concepts and alleviate negative affect associated with unfavorable outcomes (Snyder & Higgins, 1988; Taylor & Brown, 1988).
It is unclear whether excuses provide relief from negative events when they are advanced outside of the lab, in public contexts. Few researchers have assessed the effectiveness of publicly-made excuses. Three studies (Denton & Zarbatany, 1995; mehlman & Snyder, 1985; Schonback, 1990), however, suggest the effectiveness of publicly-made excuses may depend on the audience who receives the excuse and context in which the excuse is invoked.
A study by Schonback (1990) revealed that audiences in competitive or antagonistic contexts (e.g., people on an opposing side of a dispute) have a vested interest in challenging people’s excuses, which constrains the excuse-maker’s ability to evade responsibility and to alleviate negative affect. Similarly, a study by Mehlman and Snyder (1985) demonstrated that excuses examined by an “all knowing” electronic audience in an experimental context were constrained by anticipated challenges to their validity, and, therefore, less effective than privately-made, unexamined excuses in relieving negative affect.
In contrast, in a study of social support strategy effectiveness, Dendton and Zarbatany (a995) observed that when people discussed real life negative experiences with friends during supportive conversations, their friends not only agreed with their excuses (i.e., provided excuse-validation) but also made excuses for them. In terms of the effectiveness of excuses and excuse-validation in reducing negative affect, Denton and Zarbatany (1995) reported that the excuses poeple made for themselves were ineffective in reducing negative affect; but, friends’ validation of these excuses helped alleviate negative affect. Indeed, the validation of excuses by friends was found to be a more effective support strategy than any other form of social support or coping assessed in this study (i.e., excuse-making, emotional support, advice, discussing a more pleasant topic). The correlational nature of this study, however, does not permit conclusions to be drawn about whether excuse-validation caused reductions in negative affect or was a consequence of negative affect reduction.
The present study was a first attempt to test the effectiveness of excuse-validation as a social support strategy in a controlled experiment. Participants discussed a real-life negative event with a supportive stranger who either validated their excuses or listened attentively without providing excuse-validation (Denton & Zarbatany, 1995) and related research on the effects of implicit (Mehlman & Snyder, 1985) and explicit (Schonbach, 1990) challenges to people’s excuses, it was expected that participants whose excuses were validated would benefit more from the supportive conversation than participants whose excuses were not validated.
380
Другие работы по теме:
Why The Hell Is It Always Me
…….. Essay, Research Paper i’m not happy oright..i feel sad..i wanna give up…i don’t know what si wrong with me …i can’t handle relationships…i don’t what i want..how i feel…i feel too much pressure…i don’t wanna see anyone, i don’t wanna anything..i need to get out of this fucked country…people are annoying me..i can’t stand their attitudes…why is it that i do wrong all the time..or feel like i do, why do i feel like i’m the enemy…why can’t i do anything right for once…why is nobody ever happy 4 me….why do i feel like i have no place..no home..my parents are always annoyed with me about something….i can’t ever do anything right for them..my sisters can never do anything wrong…..they want it they get it…they need it they will have it..why do i have to beg for it..work for it…scrimp for it…worry about will i have enough gas in the car..or will i have to ask mom/dad for the money…then
Steroids Essay Research Paper The purpose of
Steroids Essay, Research Paper The purpose of this paper is to educate the reader on the harmful side effects of steroid use and the toll they take on the body of the user. I also discuss the legal consequences of steroid possession/use and describe the false claims made by steroid marketers.
Marijuana 7 Essay Research Paper Marijuana is
Marijuana 7 Essay, Research Paper Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug. It is considered to be a drug that is very addictive, and bad for you. Even though scientists have proven that it is not addictive, and that it is really no worse for you than other socially acceptable drugs like caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol.
Discrimination Essay Research Paper Most people think
Discrimination Essay, Research Paper Most people think the United States is a good place to live, however the United States has more discrimination problems then any other nation. By eliminating, or reducing discrimination the United States would make living here pleasant for all of its residents. As a result, stopping discrimination would, make people feel safe to be then selves, allow an equal opportunity for everyone, and expand U.S culture.
Procrastination Essay Research Paper It is tenthirty
Procrastination Essay, Research Paper It is ten-thirty and I have just gotten back from dinner with my girlfriend. As we lay down to watch a sitcom I suddenly realize I have a paper to due tomorrow at twelve-thirty! I am among the many suffers of procrastination. This is a serious problem that affects more than half the population daily.
Being Conservative Essay Research Paper Being ConservativeAs
Being Conservative Essay, Research Paper Being Conservative As my friends and I enter a nearby McDonalds down the street, we all have one thing on our minds, food. ?A number nine,? one of my friends calls out, ?with an apple pie.? ?I?ll take a number three with extra mayo,? another one of my friends says. Finally, it is my turn to order. ?Hmm,? I think to myself. ?I am not going to eat because then I?ll have to pay.? I figured if I said I wasn?t hungry then my friends will offer me their food, and in the end I wouldn?t have to pull out my wallet.
Trucks On Interstate 81 Essay Research Paper
Trucks on Interstate 81 Interstate 81 is one of the most populated and most dangerous interstates in the United States. Recently there have been multiple accidents, many fatal, involving trucks on Interstate 81. But truckers are not the only ones to blame for accidents. The cars driving the highways are also at fault.
Bush Tax Proposal Essay Research Paper IPI
Bush Tax Proposal Essay, Research Paper IPI adresses the tax cut proposal that President Bush is presenting before Congress. IPI feels that althouh Al Gore had a good plan for the national tax cut by decreasing the national income tax, George Bush’s proposal was much better because it not only lowers income tax, but also eliminates estate and death tax (accounting for almost 66% of the 1,437.8 billion dollar cut).
Teen Smoking Essay Research Paper Negative effects
Teen Smoking Essay, Research Paper Negative effects of Marijuana Marijuana is the least harmful drug, but it does have negative health effects. Though moderate users of marijuana are taking less risks than a moderate
Herbs Essay Research Paper For more than
Herbs Essay, Research Paper For more than two thousand years, traditional Chinese medicine has relied on plants and herbs to cure minor and severe ailments and keep the body healthy. There are thousands of herbs from which to choose. Some have become rather well known, but most spend far less time in the limelight.
How Rap Effects Socity Essay Research Paper
Many individuals in our society today believe that the positive portrayal of violence and sex in rap music has negative effects on its listeners. Due to this widespread perception, many studies have systematically examined rap music for evidence of its negative effects.
Smart Cards Essay Research Paper Smart cards
Smart Cards Essay, Research Paper Smart cards are transforming business around the world from reducing fraud and opening up on-line transactions in banking, personalizing services for mobile phone users, to securing access to PCs and corporate networks, and speeding transportation by using electronic ticketing.
Geographic Features Of A Region Has Important
Effects On Development Essay, Research Paper Geographic Features of A Region Has Important Effects on Development The geographic features of a nation or region have an important effect
Why Do Parents Blame Celebrities For Their
Children’s Actions? Essay, Research Paper Why do parents blame celebrities for their children’s actions? Where are the parents? Irresponsible parents use celebrities as an excuse for their lack of interest
Psychological Effects Of Stero Essay Research Paper
Psychological Effects of Steroids Many psychology along with physical effects occur do to the use, and misuse of steroids. Anabolic steroids use can cause many undesired characteristics in both males and females. However, steroids are often prescribed by doctors when the patient has an extremely irregular hormonal imbalance.
Identifying Carbohydrates Essay Research Paper Lab Report
Identifying Carbohydrates Essay, Research Paper Lab Report: #1 Identifying Carbohydrates Problem: To determine whether a substance contains reducing sugars and/or polysaccharides (two types of carbohydrates) by using Benedict s reagent and iodine stain.
Global Warming Effects Essay Research Paper How
Global Warming Effects Essay, Research Paper How the World is changing due to the effects caused by Global Warming The reason for this topic is our increasingly changing climate. Every year our climate
Is Abortion Murder Or Not Essay Research
Paper Alex Ausmanas Mr. David R. Connely Political Science 101W February 7, 2001 Is Abortion Murder or Not? The topic of abortion has been widely argued across the nation for many years. People have been getting abortions way before the Wade v. Roe case and as soon as it hit the courts the country came to life.
Television 2
Television’s Effects On Children Essay, Research Paper Television’s Effects on Children The American Psychological Association released a warning today about television’s generally negative effects on children.
Beowulf And Revenge Essay Research Paper Revenge
Beowulf And Revenge Essay, Research Paper Revenge Is revenge an excuse to commit murder? Some people might think it is. In the epic poem Beowulf, the anonymous author believes this. Beowulf was
Water Pollution And Its Effect On The
Environment Essay, Research Paper Water Pollution and Its Effects on the Environment Water is probably the most important resource we as people have. Humans can survive without food for several weeks, but without water we would
The Harms Of Smoking Essay Research Paper
The Harmful effects of smoking There is a lot of harm in smoking. These days everyone is talking about the long-term effects that smoking has a person. Smoking causes many different types of cancer. Including lung, oral, and kidney as well as esophagus cancers. Smoking also causes chronic bronchitis, and many types of breathing disorders like emphysema.
Your Late Essay Research Paper Your late
Your Late Essay, Research Paper Your late, what’s your excuse this time? No, no I don’t want to hear it you can tell me later in detention, sound familiar? Well to half the students in my school it does. That was the usual answer that teachers distribute when students are late to class, which is permissible, but what about what about when your late to home room? Well before you answer that let me explain to you what home room is.
Youth Curfew Laws Essay Research Paper Youth
Youth Curfew Laws Essay, Research Paper Youth Curfew Laws In this article about youth curfew laws from the journal, Crime and Delinquency January 2000 issue, they talked about how analysis of the subject provides extremely weak support for the theory that curfews reduce juvenile crime rates. Of the offense and victimization measures, only burglary, larceny, and simple assault arrests significantly decreased after cities adopted curfew statutes.
Effects Of Smoking 2 Essay Research Paper
Smoking has many side effects many of these effects being serious life altering side effects and not simply cosmetic. The cosmetic effects are all well known from the smell of cigarette smoke, to yellowing teeth. But also are the effects of lung cancer to not only the smoker but to anyone who is near them or being exposed to the second hand smoke of the smoker.
Effects Of Smoking Essay Research Paper Smoking
Effects Of Smoking Essay, Research Paper Smoking has many effects on the body and tobacco companies have many ways to advertise but one major target group. In this paper I will tell how they do both. Smoking has effects on all parts of the body. We?ll start with the brain. Smoking impairs your ability to concentrate and to think straight.
Effects Of Smoking On The Body Essay
, Research Paper Effects of Smoking On the Body Smoking cigarettes has been proven too be extremely dangerous to your health, which causes various forms of cancer and other life threatening diseases. There are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke and 200 of those are known poisons. Smoking cigarettes for as few as a couple of years can have permanent effects on the body.
The Benefits Of Vitamin E Essay Research
Paper The benefits of vitamin E are now fairly well established. Out of a controversial past it has become clear that vitamin E plays important roles as an antioxidant, in your immune
Co2 In The Atmosphere Essay Research Paper
Carbon dioxide has been rising in the atmosphere throughout time. Recently though, the levels of carbon dioxide have been increasing at a more alarming rate. The cause of this is a direct result of man?s burning of fossil fuels. We know that every action we make, as humans, will have some effect on the environment around us and those effects can be either good or bad.
Tobacco Should Be Illegal Essay Research Paper
Tobacco Should Be Illegal! Why isn t tobacco considered a drug? When the facts are reviewed, tobacco produces all of the effects of a drug although isn t recognized as one. What makes tobacco different from any other drug?
Civil Liberties And CrimeThrough Reducing Crime Can
We Still Keep Liberty? Essay, Research Paper Do the ends justify the means? Upon first contemplation of how it could be thought that by reducing crime one takes away liberty, I was confounded. I couldn’t envision a situation where it would be necessary to remove liberty in order to reduce and possibly even eliminate crime.
How Advertising Effects What You Buy Essay
, Research Paper HOW ADVERTISING EFFECTS WHAT YOU BUY Thesis: Advertising has different effects on consumers, it changes their prospective on what is, and what is not, worth buying, what they buy and when they buy it.
Gasoline Essay Research Paper Gasoline has gone
Gasoline Essay, Research Paper Gasoline has gone through many changes in the last couple of decades, both for efficiency and for environmental considerations. During the early 20th Century, the oil companies were producing gasoline as a simple distillate from petroleum, but the automotive engine was rapidly being improved and required a suitable fuel.