GLOBAL-SPECIFIC INCONGRUENCIES IN SELF-WORTH AND THE SEARCH FOR SELF-KNOWLEDGE

This investigation examined the effect of an incongruent self-concept on interest in acquiring self-knowledge. Congruent (high global self-e steem/positive specific self-worth and low global self-esteem/negative specific self-worth) and incongruent (low global/positive specific an d high global/negative specific) participants who varied in how certai n they were of their self-worth were given the opportunity to express an interest in information about their personalities. Those whose glob al and specific self-worth were incongruent expressed greater interest in learning more about themselves than those whose self-worths were c ongruent. This effect was qualified by self-certainty: Interest was es pecially high among incongruent subjects certain of specific self-wort h. Evidently, global-specific incongruency and certainty of it are mot ivating factors in the search for self-knowledge. The findings suggest specific processes that may allow individuals to cope with such incon gruency.