Self-Consciousness and Speed of Processing Self-Relevant Information

Abstract

The present study investigated relationships between the Self-Consciousness Scale and the amount of time required to report the self-relevance of groups of socially desirable and socially undesirable trait terms. As predicted, Social Anxiety was significantly related to time required to process both socially desirable and socially undesirable terms. Private Self-Consciousness was significantly related to response time to the socially undesirable traits but not the socially desirable terms. No significant results were found for Public Self-Consciousness. The significant relationships involving Social Anxiety were discussed in terms of concern for the social implications of self-ascription.