Implicit and Explicit Self-esteem Discrepancy and Assumed Competence

Abstract

Two studies examined the relationships among assumed competence based on undervaluing others, implicit self-esteem, and explicit self-esteem. In Study 1, 119 university students completed paper-and-pencil version of Implicit Association Test (IAT) to measure their implicit self-esteem, in addition to scales of self-esteem and assumed competence. In Study 2, 155 university students completed computer-based IAT to measure their implicit self-esteem. Two basic findings emerged from the studies. First, assumed competence had a positive correlation with implicit self-esteem, although it had no significant correlation with explicit self-esteem. Second, people with low explicit and high implicit self-esteem showed a higher level of undervaluing others than the other groups.View full abstract