Abstract:
Self-verification theory assumes individuals have a preference for maintaining the consistency
and continuity of their original self-views, which makes individuals tend to verify their own self-views,
regardless of whether the concept is negative or positive. Previous studies have indicated that selfverification
affects all aspects of individuals, including both positive and negative effects. In order to
understand the characteristics, influencing effects and influencing factors of self-verification, this paper
was summarized as follows:
Firstly, this study reviewed the origin of self-verification theory and clarified that the foundation of selfverification
theory is that the individuals’ self-views give individuals a powerful sense of coherence
and the ability to predict and control the world around them. Since self-views have such an important
function, individuals have a tendency to self-verify to maintain a stable self-concept.
Secondly, this study started from two aspects: the positive and negative effects of self-verification on
individuals and discussed the influence of self-verification on the individuals’ emotions, the development
of interpersonal relationships, and career development. The positive impacts are as follows. Selfverification
can reduce individual anxiety. By improving individual predictability, it also makes
interpersonal interactions smoother and promotes interpersonal relationships, such as classmates,
colleagues, friends, lovers and so on.
Thirdly, this study discussed the factors that may affect the tendency of self-verification: First, the type of
individual self-esteem. The second point is whether the type of social scene the individual is in public or
private. Individuals with low self-evaluation conduct more self-verification in public than in private, and
they think that the negative feedback they receive has higher reliability and effectiveness.
Finally, combined with the existing research results and the characteristics of the present society, the
possible directions of future research are put forward. First, explore the characteristics of individual
self-verification in virtual space. Second, explore the characteristics of self-verification of contemporary
Chinese people who have experienced rapid development and changes in Chinese society.
自我验证理论假设个体倾向于努力维持他们有关自我的观念(Self-views),即使这些自我观念是消极的。本文总结自我验证对个体的积极和消极影响。探讨了可能对个体自我验证有影响的两个边界因素,个体的自尊类型和所处的场景。未来研究可关注以下方面:结合网络高度发达的背景,探讨虚拟空间中自我验证对自我的影响;结合当下中国社会文化,探讨中国社会文化下个体自我验证的特点。