Self-Report Validity as a Function of Self-Awareness and Self-Schemata 1

Abstract

This study examined what factors would result in greater consistency between self-reports of behavior and actual behavior. It was hypothesized that self-awareness would result in greater consistency between self-reports and behavior than would a lack of self-awareness. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that individuals who described themselves as very helpful would be more affected by self-awareness contexts in showing helpfulness to a confederate than individuals who described themselves differently. Although the above hypotheses were not confirmed, those individuals who described themselves as very helpful were significantly more helpful to the confederate than those individuals who described themselves differently. Individuals who described themselves as very helpful also described themselves as having many positive social qualities, in partial contrast to those who described themselves differently. Explanations for the above results are discussed.