This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mueller, J. H. Articles by Dugan, K. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Mueller, J. H. Articles by Dugan, K. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Trait Distinctiveness and Accessibility in the Self-Schema

University of Missouri, Columbia

W. Burt Thompson

University of Missouri, Columbia

Kenneth Dugan

University of Missouri, Columbia

The distinctiveness of trait adjectives as self-descriptors was assessed in two ways. One method focused on how many people the trait described (self only, or self and others), whereas the other focused on how much it describes the self When distinctiveness is defined in terms of how many people the trait characterizes, distinctive traits yield slower self-reference decisions than common traits, regardless of degree of descriptiveness. On the other hand, when distinctiveness is defined as degree of descriptiveness, an inverted-U function results, with traits at either extreme of descriptiveness yielding faster decisions than those of intermediate descriptiveness. The results indicate these alternative definitions assess different aspects of distinctiveness, and conclusions drawn from one assessment may not apply to the other.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Meliema and J. N. Bassili On the Relationship between Attitudes and Values: Exploring the Moderating Effects of Self-Monitoring and Self-Monitoring Schematicity Pers Soc Psychol Bull, September 1, 1995; 21(9): 885 - 892. [Abstract]

				S. B. Klein, J. Loftus, and J. W. Sherman The Role of Summary and Specific Behavioral Memories in Trait Judgments about the Self Pers Soc Psychol Bull, June 1, 1993; 19(3): 305 - 311. [Abstract]

				C. W. Perdue and M. B. Gurtman Self-Reference and Evaluative Biases in the Perception of Trait Information Pers Soc Psychol Bull, September 1, 1988; 14(3): 578 - 586. [Abstract]