Does Treating Oneself Kindly Lead to More “Treating Yourself?”
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Whitney Heppner
Abstract
Trait self-compassion has been shown to aid a person in their ability to be kind to themselves when they are going through a hard time. For instance, people with higher levels of self-compassion are more likely to face difficult challenges and are less likely to give up on themselves (Gedik, 2019), two indicators of self-control. Our current investigation explores whether self-compassion leads to a more indulgent mindset (i.e., “treating oneself”) in the context of hypothetical and actual health-behavioral decisions, or to health behavior decisions that indicate more long-term health benefits.We expect that following a difficult challenge, individuals who have undergone a self-compassion induction will exhibit preferences for behaviors indicating self-control over those indicating indulgence when those choices are framed as in the future and have more psychological distance. For more short-term oriented decisions, we expect that self-compassion will lead to preference for short-term indulgence over long-term benefit. All participants complete a baseline measure including demographics, a self-compassion measure (Raes et al., 2011), and a trait self-control measure (Tangney 2004). They then try to solve an unsolvable puzzle which induces frustration. Afterwards, the experimental group answers three questions about their failed puzzle attempt directed at the three components of self-compassion–common humanity, self-kindness, and mindfulness (following Leary et al., 2007). The control group answers three objective questions about their performance on the task. Finally, all participants are given a post-test survey asking them to choose between present and future hypothetical health and wellness behaviors. Everyone is given a choice of healthy and unhealthy snack options to represent short-term indulgence, and then is asked to enter their name in a raffle for a gift card to a restaurant for the long-term indulgence. Once completing the full study, participants are debriefed on the intentions and background of our methods.
Start Date
27-3-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
27-3-2024 9:50 AM
Location
Magnolia Ballroom
Does Treating Oneself Kindly Lead to More “Treating Yourself?”
Magnolia Ballroom
Trait self-compassion has been shown to aid a person in their ability to be kind to themselves when they are going through a hard time. For instance, people with higher levels of self-compassion are more likely to face difficult challenges and are less likely to give up on themselves (Gedik, 2019), two indicators of self-control. Our current investigation explores whether self-compassion leads to a more indulgent mindset (i.e., “treating oneself”) in the context of hypothetical and actual health-behavioral decisions, or to health behavior decisions that indicate more long-term health benefits.We expect that following a difficult challenge, individuals who have undergone a self-compassion induction will exhibit preferences for behaviors indicating self-control over those indicating indulgence when those choices are framed as in the future and have more psychological distance. For more short-term oriented decisions, we expect that self-compassion will lead to preference for short-term indulgence over long-term benefit. All participants complete a baseline measure including demographics, a self-compassion measure (Raes et al., 2011), and a trait self-control measure (Tangney 2004). They then try to solve an unsolvable puzzle which induces frustration. Afterwards, the experimental group answers three questions about their failed puzzle attempt directed at the three components of self-compassion–common humanity, self-kindness, and mindfulness (following Leary et al., 2007). The control group answers three objective questions about their performance on the task. Finally, all participants are given a post-test survey asking them to choose between present and future hypothetical health and wellness behaviors. Everyone is given a choice of healthy and unhealthy snack options to represent short-term indulgence, and then is asked to enter their name in a raffle for a gift card to a restaurant for the long-term indulgence. Once completing the full study, participants are debriefed on the intentions and background of our methods.