‘Heroes aren’t always so great!’–Heroic perceptions under mortality salience

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‘Heroes aren’t always so great!’–Heroic perceptions under mortality salience. / Schindler, Simon; Pfattheicher, Stefan; Reinhard, Marc André et al.
In: Social Influence, Vol. 14, No. 3-4, 02.10.2019, p. 77-91.

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

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Schindler S, Pfattheicher S, Reinhard MA, Greenberg J. ‘Heroes aren’t always so great!’–Heroic perceptions under mortality salience. Social Influence. 2019 Oct 2;14(3-4):77-91. doi: 10.1080/15534510.2019.1656668

Bibtex

@article{7454cdab33ad44248c32d52f76cb7c81,
title = "{\textquoteleft}Heroes aren{\textquoteright}t always so great!{\textquoteright}–Heroic perceptions under mortality salience",
abstract = "According to terror management theory, in a first study (N = 80), we tested the hypothesis that heroic perceptions of historic heroes would become more positive under mortality salience. Results, however, showed the opposite effect–heroic perceptions were less positive. To explain this unexpected finding, we referred to a social comparison perspective, assuming comparisons with a hero are likely to be unfavorable for one{\textquoteright}s self-esteem. Two further (pre-registered) studies were conducted to test this idea. Mortality salience effects in Study 2 (N = 615) were not significant. However, using an improved experimental procedure in Study 3 (N = 600), heroic perceptions were indeed significantly less positive under MS, especially for participants with low trait self-esteem and low social comparison orientation.",
keywords = "Heroic perceptions, mortality salience, self-esteem, social comparison, terror management theory, Psychology",
author = "Simon Schindler and Stefan Pfattheicher and Reinhard, {Marc Andr{\'e}} and Jeff Greenberg",
year = "2019",
month = oct,
day = "2",
doi = "10.1080/15534510.2019.1656668",
language = "English",
volume = "14",
pages = "77--91",
journal = "Social Influence",
issn = "1553-4510",
publisher = "Taylor and Francis Ltd.",
number = "3-4",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - ‘Heroes aren’t always so great!’–Heroic perceptions under mortality salience

AU - Schindler, Simon

AU - Pfattheicher, Stefan

AU - Reinhard, Marc André

AU - Greenberg, Jeff

PY - 2019/10/2

Y1 - 2019/10/2

N2 - According to terror management theory, in a first study (N = 80), we tested the hypothesis that heroic perceptions of historic heroes would become more positive under mortality salience. Results, however, showed the opposite effect–heroic perceptions were less positive. To explain this unexpected finding, we referred to a social comparison perspective, assuming comparisons with a hero are likely to be unfavorable for one’s self-esteem. Two further (pre-registered) studies were conducted to test this idea. Mortality salience effects in Study 2 (N = 615) were not significant. However, using an improved experimental procedure in Study 3 (N = 600), heroic perceptions were indeed significantly less positive under MS, especially for participants with low trait self-esteem and low social comparison orientation.

AB - According to terror management theory, in a first study (N = 80), we tested the hypothesis that heroic perceptions of historic heroes would become more positive under mortality salience. Results, however, showed the opposite effect–heroic perceptions were less positive. To explain this unexpected finding, we referred to a social comparison perspective, assuming comparisons with a hero are likely to be unfavorable for one’s self-esteem. Two further (pre-registered) studies were conducted to test this idea. Mortality salience effects in Study 2 (N = 615) were not significant. However, using an improved experimental procedure in Study 3 (N = 600), heroic perceptions were indeed significantly less positive under MS, especially for participants with low trait self-esteem and low social comparison orientation.

KW - Heroic perceptions

KW - mortality salience

KW - self-esteem

KW - social comparison

KW - terror management theory

KW - Psychology

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85071174772&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/15534510.2019.1656668

DO - 10.1080/15534510.2019.1656668

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85071174772

VL - 14

SP - 77

EP - 91

JO - Social Influence

JF - Social Influence

SN - 1553-4510

IS - 3-4

ER -