Can Accepting Criticism Be an Effective Impression Management Strategy for Public Figures? A Comparison with Denials and a Counterattack

Abstract

Abstract The way public figures react to criticism can influence perceptions of and trust in them. We tested whether politicians who openly accepted criticism were perceived as more moral and warmer (i.e., more communal) and were trusted more than politicians who rejected criticism. Using fictitious politicians, Experiments 1–3 showed the expected positive effect of accepting criticism on communion and trust, moderated neither by the politician’s party affiliation (Experiment 2) nor by attacked dimension (competence or morality; Experiment 3, preregistered). With a front-runner in an upcoming election as target, Experiment 4 replicated the positive effect, but only for participants with a political orientation matching the politician’s affiliation. Taken together, acknowledging mistakes can be an effective impression management strategy for public figures.