Submission Date

7-20-2016

Document Type

Paper- Restricted to Campus Access

Department

Psychology

Faculty Mentor

Brent Mattingly

Comments

Presented during the 18th Annual Summer Fellows Symposium, July 22, 2016 at Ursinus College.

Project Description

Self-expansion, the addition of positive traits to an individual’s self-concept, has many benefits to individuals. This study examined if one type of self-expansion provided more benefits than others, while also examining the Self-Resources Model, which posits that self-expansion increases self-resources, which then help reduce the negative impact of stressors and improve well-being. Study 1 primed self-expansion in each setting and then measured self-resources and mood. This study indicated no difference in the types of self-expansion, but the relationship between self-expansion and mood supported the Self-Resources Model. Study 2 collected daily survey responses which measured each type of self-expansion, self-resources, and mood. One type of self-expansion did not lead to more self-resources above the other types, but general self-expansion supported the Self-Resources Model. When specific types of self-expansion were examined, some supported the Self-Resources Model while others did not, leading to further questions on the different types of self-expansion.

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