Variables Affecting Reactions to Social Acceptance and Rejection

Summary Two studies examined variables assumed to affect an individual's attraction to a partner who either liked or disliked him. The assumption underlying these investigations was that such reactions to others are affected by the extent to which self-esteem needs are satisfied or frustrated by social acceptance or rejection. In Study I subjects were more attracted to a partner who liked them and less attracted to a partner who disliked them when such acceptance or rejection by the partner was accompanied by positive trait ratings of the subjects than by negative trait ratings. The interpretation of these findings was that partners who were making positive trait ratings—ratings presumably which were consistent with the subject's view of himself—would be perceived as more uniquely focused on the subject and therefore have more positive or negative impact on his self-esteem needs. Study II ruled out the alternative interpretation of Study I that skillful evaluators of an individual affect him more than unskillful evaluators. Study II also showed that low self-esteem subjects were more attracted to others who liked them and less attracted to others who disliked them than were high self-esteem subjects.