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Chapter 12: Pride – A Positive Self-Conscious Emotion

Cognitive Appraisals

Tracy and Robins (2007c) investigated whether the attributions for authentic and hubristic pride differ. In this study, participants were randomly assigned to read scenarios meant to elicit authentic or hubristic pride. The scenarios manipulated the attributions participants made for success on a college exam. All scenarios included internal attribution of the participant achieving the exam grade. Each scenario included only one manipulation of the independent variable. After reading each scenario, participants self-reported the extent to which they would feel authentic pride and hubristic pride.

 

Within-Subjects IV #1: Manipulated Stability Attributions
Condition 1: Stable attribution (due to IQ, personality)
Condition 2: Unstable attribution (due to effort, situation)
Within-Subjects IV #2: Manipulated Globality Attributions
Condition 1: Specific Attribution – one domain in life / good act
Condition 2: Global Attribution – whole self

2 Dependent Variables:
DV #1: Self-reported authentic pride
DV #2: Self-reported hubristic pride

 

Figure 9 displays the results for IV #1: manipulating stability attributions. Internal, unstable attributions led to greater authentic pride than internal, stable attributions. This means that when people attribute a good act to something unstable about the self people report more authentic pride than when they attribution a good act to something unchanging about the self. The two stability attributions did not result in differences on self-reported hubristic pride.

Figure 9
Findings for IV #1 Stability Attributions
Bar graph illustrating self-reported pride levels for Authentic and Hubristic Pride under Internal, Unstable and Internal, Stable conditions.

Long Description

The image is a bar graph depicting self-reported pride levels under different conditions. The graph has two main bars representing dependent variables: Authentic Pride and Hubristic Pride. Each bar contains two segments, orange and gray, representing independent variable conditions. The orange segment signifies “Internal, Unstable,” while the gray segment signifies “Internal, Stable.” Both bars are topped with an arched arrow illustrating a relationship or comparison between the two segments. The vertical axis is labeled “Self-reported pride,” scaled from 0 (Not at all) to 6 (Extremely).

Adapted from “The psychological structure of pride: A tale of two facets,” by J.L. Tracy and R.W. Robins, 2007c, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(3), p. 518. (https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.3.506) Copyright 2007 by the American Psychological Association

 

Figure 10 shows the results for IV #2, in which globality attributions were manipulated. Internal, specific attributions resulted in more authentic pride than internal, global attributions. Scenarios with internal, global attributions resulted in more hubristic pride than authentic pride. These findings mean that when people achieve a task, containing this achievement to a specific part of the self causes authentic pride. For instance, I succeeded on my math exam, but that doesn’t mean I will succeed on my chemistry exam. Conversely, when people achieve a success and attribute the success to ALL domains of their life, that results in the more inaccurate hubristic pride. For example, I did well on my math exam so I will do well in everything I do!

Figure 10
Findings for IV #1: Stability Attributions
Bar graph comparing self-reported pride levels for

Long Description

The image is a bar graph comparing self-reported pride levels under two independent variable conditions, labeled as “Internal, Specific” and “Internal, Global.” Two sets of bars are presented, representing the dependent variables: “Authentic Pride” on the left and “Hubristic Pride” on the right. Each set includes one orange bar and one gray bar.

The y-axis is labeled “Self-reported pride,” with a scale ranging from 0 (“Not at all”) to 6 (“Extremely”). The x-axis indicates “Dependent Variables.” In the “Authentic Pride” category, the orange bar (Internal, Specific) is taller than the gray bar (Internal, Global). In the “Hubristic Pride” category, the gray bar (Internal, Global) exceeds the height of the orange bar (Internal, Specific). An arrow above each bar pair visually indicates which bar is higher.

A legend in the top right corner denotes the color coding: orange for “Internal, Specific” and gray for “Internal, Global.”

Adapted from “The psychological structure of pride: A tale of two facets,” J.L. Tracy and R.W. Robins, 2007c, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(3), p. 518. (https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.3.506) Copyright 2007 by the American Psychological Association

Image showing characteristics of authentic and hubristic traits with descriptions.

Long Description

The image consists of two rectangular sections with rounded green squares on the left side. Each section contains descriptive text. The top section has the word “Authentic” inside the green square, leading to a gray area with bullet points, listing “Internal, unstable, specific” and “Effort! Accurate!”. The bottom section has the word “Hubristic” inside the green square, connected to a gray area with bullet points stating “Internal, stable, global” and “Ability! Inaccurate!”.

Process Model of Self-Conscious Emotions

Tracy and Robins (2004a) developed the process model of self-conscious emotions (see Figure 11). This model is based on cognitive appraisal theory and demonstrates the type of emotion people experience based on their attributions. In this model, cognitive appraisals cause the emotion we experience. In this model, locus of attribution simply means do people make an external or internal attribution? When people make an external attribution, they report a basic emotion such as fear, disgust, or anger. When people experience an internal attribution, people report a self-conscious emotion. To determine the type of self-conscious emotion people experience, we have to determine whether people appraise the emotion as negative or positive and whether people appraise the situation as caused by the stable or global self. Shame and hubris are both caused by stable attributions, whereas guilt and authentic pride are caused by stable attributions. Embarrassment does not fit exactly well within this model. According to Tracy and Robins (2004a), embarrassment is simply when we make an internal attribution in the presence of other people. It is important to note that this model fits more with Tangney’s view of negative self-conscious emotions and does not fit well with Single-Emotion Theory. Similar to Tangney, Tracy and Robins view this model as subsumed by evolutionary theory.

Figure 11
Process Model of Self-Conscious Emotions (Tracy & Robins, 2004a)
Decision tree diagram illustrating types of emotions based on locus attribution.

Long Description

The image displays a decision tree diagram illustrating types of emotions based on locus attribution. On the left, an orange rectangle labeled “Locus Attribution” branches into three lines: “External,” “Internal (public),” and “Internal.” The first line leads to a blue-gray rectangle labeled “Basic Emotions.” The second line points to another blue-gray rectangle labeled “Embarrassment.” The third line connects to a blue-gray rectangle labeled “Stable and Global Attributions?” which has two branches: “Yes!” leading to a green rectangle labeled “Shame / Hubris,” and “No!” leading to another green rectangle labeled “Guilt / Authentic Pride.”

Adapted from “Putting the self into self-conscious emotions: A theoretical model,” J.L. Tracy and R.W. Robins, 2004a, Psychological Inquiry, 15(2), p. 110 (https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965pli1502_01) Copyright 2004 by Lawrence Erlbaum

Figures 12 and 13 below are study tools to improve understanding of this model. Figure 12 displays the emotions people feel based on three attributions: success/failure, stable/global, and unstable/specific. Figure 13 provides examples of the thoughts people would experience for each emotion.

Figure 12
Three Attributions for Self-Conscious Emotions
A grid showing emotions: Hubristic Pride, Shame, Authentic Pride, and Guilt, categorized by stability and outcome.

Long Description

The image is a matrix grid with two rows and two columns, displaying a categorization of emotions based on stability and specificity of causes (vertical axis) and success versus failure (horizontal axis). The vertical axis on the left is labeled “Stable & Global” for the top row and “Unstable & Specific” for the bottom row. The horizontal axis at the top is labeled “Success” for the left column and “Failure” for the right column. Each quadrant contains a term: “Hubristic Pride” in the top-left, “Shame” in the top-right, “Authentic Pride” in the bottom-left, and “Guilt” in the bottom-right. Each quadrant is shaded in a muted green color with white text.

Figure 13
Examples of each Cognitive Attribution
Grid showing reactions to acing or failing a statistics exam, divided by stable/global and unstable/specific perspectives.

Long Description

The image is a grid with four sections, comparing reactions to acing or failing a statistics exam. It is divided into two columns labeled “Aced Stat Exam” and “Failed Stat Exam.” Each column is paired with rows labeled “Stable & Global” and “Unstable & Specific.” The background of each section is a light olive green with white text.

Transcribed Text:

Aced Stat Exam Stable & Global I will always be smart! I’m good at everything!

Failed Stat Exam Stable & Global I will never be smart. I’m not good at anything!

Aced Stat Exam Unstable & Specific I studied hard. I’m good at stats!

Failed Stat Exam Unstable & Specific I didn’t study enough. I’m not good at stats.