The effect of self-esteem on selecting interaction partners using the "Settoku Nattoku Game"

Abstract

This study examined the effect of self-esteem on selecting interaction partners using the "Settoku Nattoku Game" (Persuasion Game: Sugiura, 2003). In particular, the authors investigated whether the selection of the "agreement players" would vary according to the level of self-esteem on the "persuasion players" in the "Settoku Nattoku Game". One hundred and five undergraduates participated in the game. Three main results were found: (1) The "persuasion players" selected the "agreement players" more often in session 2 than session 1, regardless of their level of self-esteem. (2) In session 1, the number of interaction partners was correlated with the level of satisfaction regarding interaction with others. (3) Moreover, if this level of satisfaction in session1 is low, the "persuasion players" those who are high self-esteem tend to select the "agreement players" those who have low self-esteem in session 2. These results suggest that there are different aspects about selecting interaction partners between people with high self-esteem and low self-esteem. Especially, when high self-esteem individuals temporarily decreased state-self-esteem, they would select low self-esteem persons in order to improve their decreased state-self-esteem.View full abstract