Storying away self-doubt: Can narratives dispel threats to the self?

Abstract

Personal narratives play an important role in creating a stable sense of self. This study used an experimental design to explore the utility of narrative, in comparison to other mechanisms, (e.g., self-affirmation, distraction), for coping with self-concept threat. Participants (N = 331) received false physiological feedback suggesting they were prejudiced and completed one of five repair techniques, as well as pre-study, post-threat, and post-repair measures of affect and self-concept. General high-point narratives and affirmation statements tended to produce greater repair than tolerance-specific narratives and affirmation statements. However, individual differences, including meaning-making, appear to modestly impact the amount of repair in tolerance narratives. Results are discussed in terms of when and how narratives maintain personal meaning in the face of threat.