Two faces of the self: Actor-self perspective and observer-self perspective are differentially related to agency versus communion

Communion is evaluated more positively and people are more concerned if their communion is discredited, but their self-esteem is dominated by agency. For reconciling these results we present an extended Dual Perspective Model that distinguishes the actor-self perspective (self-as-identity) and the observer-self perspective (self-as-reputation) and the facets of agency (assertiveness, competence) and communion (warmth, morality). Self-as-identity is expected to be more related to agency, particularly assertiveness, whereas self-as-reputation is expected to be more related to communion, particularly morality. As predicted, participants asked to remember identity- (reputation-) threatening situations listed mainly assertiveness and competence situations (morality situations; Study 1). Identity (reputation) threat was highest after negative agency, especially assertiveness (communion, especially morality) information (Studies 2, 3; 4 with different methodology).