Positive Illusions Part 2

1
Positive IllusionsPart 2
2
Illusion of Control

• Occurs when people over-estimate the amount of
  control they have over events.
• Cutting cards study
• Workplace raffle study
• Benefits of perceived control
• Langer Rodins nursing home study.

3
Implicit Self-Enhancement

• Mere-ownership effect.
• Name-letter effect.
• Pelham et al. (2002). Why Susie sells seashells
  by the seashore.

4
Pelham et al. (2002)
Mildred Virginia Total
Milwaukee 865 (806) 544 (603) 1409
Virginia Beach 230 (289) 275 (216) 505
Total 1095 819 1914
5
Pelham et al. (2002)
Jack Philip Total
Jacksonville 436 (288) 111 (259) 547
Philadelphia 968 (1116) 1153 (1005) 2121
Total 1404 1264 2668
6
Pelham et al., Study 3
Tor Vanc Ott Edm Cal Win Ham Lon
Toronto 836 (611)
Vancouver 21 (19)
Ottawa 52 (50)
Edmonton 54 (48)
Calgary 409 (528)
Winnipeg 338 (287)
Hamilton 527 (434)
London 260 (201)
7
Pelham et al. Study 4
Florence Georgia Louise Virginia
Florida 10,062 (8,810)
Georgia 346 (184)
Louisiana 506 (402)
Virginia 2,077 (1,603)
8
Positive Illusions

• Better-than-average effect
• Unrealistic optimism
• Illusion of control
• Implicit egotism

9
Limits to Self-Enhancement

• Ambiguity
• Accountability
• Bracing for feedback
• Individual differences in self-esteem and
  depression