‘Heroes aren’t always so great!’–Heroic perceptions under mortality salience
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In: Social Influence, Vol. 14, No. 3-4, 02.10.2019, p. 77-91.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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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 -