CHFA | Psychology Department Showcase: Completed Projects
Getting the Dunce Cap: Examining the Effects of Authority and Rejection on Self-Esteem
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis
Minor
Creative Writing
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Jana Hackathorn
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Social rejection has been defined as any instance in which an individual is excluded socially or fails to maintain a social relationship (Jiang & Ngai, 2020). There are times we may perceive rejection in our social encounters where there is none. To describe the tendency to worry about, anticipate, and overreact to social rejection, the term rejection sensitive was coined (Feldman & Downey, 1994). The present study was specifically interested in rejection sensitivity and its various influences on behavior and self-esteem, especially in an instance of receiving rejection from a person of academic authority (i.e., a professor). The study was also interested in identifying recurring personality traits in rejection-sensitive individuals. After completing an online pre-test survey, in which they filled out measures related to rejection sensitivity, self-esteem, perceptions of authority, and various personality traits, participants were invited to participate in an in-person survey. Soon after arrival to this in-person study, the participants were reprimanded by a researcher posing as a professor. Their present emotional state and self-esteem were then measured in a brief post-test survey. This presentation features a summary of our findings.
Spring Scholars Week 2024 Event
Psychology: Completed Projects
Getting the Dunce Cap: Examining the Effects of Authority and Rejection on Self-Esteem
Social rejection has been defined as any instance in which an individual is excluded socially or fails to maintain a social relationship (Jiang & Ngai, 2020). There are times we may perceive rejection in our social encounters where there is none. To describe the tendency to worry about, anticipate, and overreact to social rejection, the term rejection sensitive was coined (Feldman & Downey, 1994). The present study was specifically interested in rejection sensitivity and its various influences on behavior and self-esteem, especially in an instance of receiving rejection from a person of academic authority (i.e., a professor). The study was also interested in identifying recurring personality traits in rejection-sensitive individuals. After completing an online pre-test survey, in which they filled out measures related to rejection sensitivity, self-esteem, perceptions of authority, and various personality traits, participants were invited to participate in an in-person survey. Soon after arrival to this in-person study, the participants were reprimanded by a researcher posing as a professor. Their present emotional state and self-esteem were then measured in a brief post-test survey. This presentation features a summary of our findings.