Trait Distinctiveness and Accessibility in the Self-Schema

Abstract

The distinctiveness of trait adjectives as self-descriptors was assessed in two ways. One method focused on how many people the trait described (self only, or self and others), whereas the other focused on how much it describes the self When distinctiveness is defined in terms of how many people the trait characterizes, distinctive traits yield slower self-reference decisions than common traits, regardless of degree of descriptiveness. On the other hand, when distinctiveness is defined as degree of descriptiveness, an inverted-U function results, with traits at either extreme of descriptiveness yielding faster decisions than those of intermediate descriptiveness. The results indicate these alternative definitions assess different aspects of distinctiveness, and conclusions drawn from one assessment may not apply to the other.