Jennifer Crocker

Publications (134) View all

• Article: Investigating the link between liking versus wanting self-esteem and depression in a nationally representative sample of american adults.

  Brad J Bushman, Scott J Moeller, Sara Konrath, Jennifer Crocker
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  ABSTRACT: The self-esteem movement has been around since the 1970s, and may have influenced how much value people place on self-esteem. We predicted a negative relationship between age and the amount of value placed on self-esteem boosts. We also investigated the correlates of liking versus wanting self-esteem boosts (and other pleasant rewards) on depression. A nationally representative sample of American adults (N = 867) indicated how much they liked and wanted several pleasant rewards (i.e., sex, food, alcohol, money, friendship, self-esteem boost). They also completed a standardized measure of depressive symptoms. As expected, there was a negative relationship between age and valuing self-esteem boosts, sex, and alcohol. People with depressive symptoms wanted self-esteem boosts, even though they did not like them very much. Similar effects were obtained for depressive symptoms and alcohol and friendship. This is the first research to show that self-esteem boosts are more valued among a nationally representative sample of younger American adults. It also is the first research to explore the association between depression and the motivation to boost self-esteem. People with depressive symptoms want self-esteem, and may pursue it, but this pursuit may feel unrewarding because they do not derive pleasure from it.
  Journal of Personality 02/2012; 80(5):1453-69. · 2.44 Impact Factor
• Article: Addressing scientific fraud.

  Jennifer Crocker, M Lynne Cooper
  Science 12/2011; 334(6060):1182. · 31.20 Impact Factor
• Article: The road to fraud starts with a single step.

  Jennifer Crocker
  Nature 11/2011; 479(7372):151. · 36.28 Impact Factor
• Article: Sweets, sex, or self-esteem? Comparing the value of self-esteem boosts with other pleasant rewards.

  Brad J Bushman, Scott J Moeller, Jennifer Crocker
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  ABSTRACT: Many people ascribe great value to self-esteem, but how much value? Do people value self-esteem more than other pleasant activities, such as eating sweets and having sex? Two studies of college students (Study 1: N=130; Study 2: N=152) showed that people valued boosts to their self-esteem more than they valued eating a favorite food and engaging in a favorite sexual activity. Study 2 also showed that people valued self-esteem more than they valued drinking alcohol, receiving a paycheck, and seeing a best friend. Both studies found that people who highly valued self-esteem engaged in laboratory tasks to boost their self-esteem. Finally, personality variables interacted with these value ratings. Entitled people thought they were more deserving of all pleasant rewards, even though they did not like them all that much (both studies), and people who highly value self-esteem pursued potentially maladaptive self-image goals, presumably to elevate their self-esteem (Study 2).
  Journal of Personality 10/2011; 79(5):993-1012. · 2.44 Impact Factor
• Article: Changing Relationship Growth Belief: Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Consequences of Compassionate Goals.

  Amy Canevello, Jennifer Crocker
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  ABSTRACT: The belief that difficulties can lead to growth in relationships, or growth belief, has consequences for relationships (e.g., Knee, 1998). But what predicts change in this belief? We hypothesized that compassionate goals to support others (Crocker & Canevello, 2008) predict increased growth belief through increased need satisfaction. In Study 1, 199 college freshmen reported their friendship growth belief and goals. In Study 2, 65 roommate pairs reported their roommate growth belief, goals, and need satisfaction. Across studies, compassionate goals predicted increased growth belief. In Study 2, goals predicted increased perceived mutual need satisfaction, which predicted increased growth belief. Additionally, partners' compassionate goals predicted actors' increased growth belief. Results suggest that growth beliefs are shaped by goals - own and others'.
  Personal Relationships 09/2011; 18(3):370-391. · 0.74 Impact Factor