0191-8X69'X3.010009-07$0i.~l0.0 Copyright 0 1983 Pergamon Press Ltd zyxwvutsrqpon OBJECTIVE SELF-A WA RENESS, SELF-ESTEEM AND CAUSAL A TTRIBUTIONS FOR SUCCESS AND FAILURE ARIE NADLER Department of Psychology. Tel-Aviv University. Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv 6997X. Israel (Rewiwd 31 Drwmb~r 1981) Summary -A study using 174 males was conducted to examine the effects of objective self-awareness on causal attributions for success and failure. It was predicted that individual’s level of self-esteem would mediate the effects of focus of attention on causal attributions. The results showed that attention to the self Increased the dispositional attributions made by low self-esteem subjects in failure conditions. and of high self-esteem subjects in success conditions. The implications of Ihe tindings for the theory of objec- tlve self-awareness and causal attribution processes are discussed. INTRODUCTION In their first statement concerning the link between focus of attention and attributional pro- cesses, Duval and Wicklund (1972) have suggested that when objectively self-aware one is more likely to view the self as a causal agent than when not objectively self-aware. In line with this theoretical statement, Duval and Wicklund (1973) have found that in a role-playing situation individuals who were made objectively self-aware attributed more causality to them- selves for both positive and negative outcomes than individuals in a no self-awareness control condition. Similar findings have also been reported by other studies in this context (e.g. Arkin and Duval, 1975; Duval and Wicklund, 1973; Storms, 1973). More recent studies however, have reformulated this proposed link between self-awareness and attributional processes. Specifically. this research has indicated that objective self-aware- ness cannot be expected to have a unidirectional impact on attribution (i.e. increase dispositio- nality). Rather. self-awareness has been shown to differently affect attributions in line with the self-relevant aspects of the situation. Thus. because of self-presentation concerns objectively self-aware individuals attributed differently as a function of whether attributions were publi- tally or privately made (Hull and Levy. 1979). Further. Federoff and Harvey (1976) have found that the introduction of objective self-awareness manipulation increased self-defensive attri- butions for performance on an ego-relevant task. Attributions to the self were greater under objective self-awareness than non-self-awareness conditions for positive but not for negative outcomes. On the basis of these data Federoff and Harvey (1976) have suggested the intensification hypothesis---- that focusing attention on the self intensifies existing attributional tendencies (e.g. self-defensive reactions under failure con- ditions). Yet. whether self-defensive attributions are employed is dependent on both the situation (i.e. failure intensity) and the person (i.e. feelings of esteem). In fact, while research indicates that individuals tend to externalize failure (e.g. Streufert and Streufert. 1969), other studies have shown this tendency to be dependent on person variables. In line with a consistency approach (Bramel. 1968) It was found that low self-esteem individuals, for whom failure is consistent with unfavorable self-cognitions, do not use self-defensive attributions to explain failure. Compared to high self-esteem individuals, individuals low in self-esteem use more dispositional attri- butions (i.e. lack of ability) to explain their poor performance (Fitch, 1970). Drawing upon the intensification hypothesis regarding the effects of objective self-awareness (Federoff and Harvey. 1976: cf. also Scheier and Carver. 1977), and the data on the mediating role of self-esteem on causal attributions for success and failure. it is suggested that not always will self-awareness intensify self-defensive (i.e. externalization of failure) or self-enhancing (i.e.