Repression-sensitization and processing of favorable and adverse information

Abstract

One hundred forty-two female Ss divided into repressors and sensitizers by their median score on the R-S scale received either a favorable or an unfavorable evaluation of themselves, both discrepant at a similar degree from their own self-evaluation. Sensitizers, in comparison to repressors, exhibited greater adoption of the negative evaluation and acceptance of its source, but less acceptance of the positive evaluation and its source. These results were explained as providing support for the contention that repressors and sensitizers differ in their willingness to assign negative vs. positive qualities to one's self and to endorse internal conflict rather than in their choice of defense mechanisms in the face of threatening information.

No Herd for Black Sheep: A Meta‐Analytic Review of the Predictors and Outcomes of Workplace Ostracism

“…According to the person-situation interaction theory (Mischel, 1968(Mischel, , 1977, an individual's attitudinal and behavioral response to a situation is a by-product of their perceptions of the situation and their personality characteristics. High-NA individuals are more likely to interpret ambiguous comments by others as threatening and perceive situations in a negative way (Shavit & Shouval, 1977). Moreover, due to their pessimistic nature, high-NA individuals tend to ruminate on the negative aspects of themselves and experience higher levels of negative emotions (Watson & Clark, 1984).…”

Toward an Integrative Theory of Counterproductive Workplace Behavior: A Causal Reasoning Perspective

“…High NA individuals tend to be less satisfied with their lives and focus on negative aspects of themselves and their environments (Watson and Pennebaker 1989) and are often perceived as hostile, demanding, and distant (Aquino, Grover, Bradfield and Allen 1999;Watson and Clark 1984). Moreover, according to Shavit and Shouval (1977) high NA individuals are likely to interpret slightly negative or even ambiguous social information as threatening.…”

Interaction between the Process Used to Introduce Change and the Personality of Organizational Members: An International Test

“…They state that "sensitizers" (i.e., individuals whom exhibit high negative affect) tend to accept and internalize negative information regardless of its merits, thereby causing an exaggerated perceived disparity between "ideal self" and "ought self." Furthermore, such people are less able to guard their self-esteem, hence viewing themselves negatively (Shavit & Shouval, 1977).…”

“…Shavit and Shouval (1977) offer one possible explanation for why individuals may have such a skewed negative view of themselves. They state that "sensitizers" (i.e., individuals whom exhibit high negative affect) tend to accept and internalize negative information regardless of its merits, thereby causing an exaggerated perceived disparity between "ideal self" and "ought self."…”