Rational Versus Experiential Processing of Negative Feedback Reduces Defensiveness but Induces Ego Depletion
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2015, 2014 Taylor & Francis. Three experiments compared the effects of engaging a more rational versus more experiential processing mode following self-relevant negative feedback. Participants in each experiment were encouraged to process negative feedback about their social skills in a more rational versus more experiential mode before completing a mood measure (Experiment 1), a disguised measure of self-enhancement tendencies (Experiment 2), and a behavioral test of self-control (Experiment 3), respectively. Compared to experiential processing, more rational processing of negative feedback reduced negative mood and self-enhancement tendencies but increased the likelihood of self-control failure. Together, these findings suggest that processing negative feedback in a more rational processing mode helps to dispel threats to self-regard but exacts a cost in the form of a temporary depletion of self-control strength.