On the self-protective nature of inconsistency-negativity management: Using the person memory paradigm to examine self-referent memory

How do individuals remember feedback that is inconsistent or negative? Acco rding to the inconsistency-negativity resolution model, individuals are mot ivated to reduce uncertainty and resolve inconsistency even when threat to self is potential. They more deeply process and better remember negative se lf- than other-referent information. According to the inconsistency-negativ ity neglect model, individuals are motivated to protect the self against th reat. They engage in more shallow processing and remember less negative sel f- than other-referent information. Participants read and recalled either s elf- or other-referent mixed-valence information. The neglect model was sup ported in personality and minimal feedback settings. A chronometric explora tion of processing mechanisms and the ruling: out of a retrieval interferen ce account clarified aspects of the model. Individuals are hypersensitive t o threat potential: They will protect the self against even hypothetical th reat.