The Role of Evaluative Self-Schemata in Cognitive Processing and Performance: The Impact on Self-Efficacy, Self-Evaluation and Task Outcome

Abstract

Recently, considerable attention has been given to the role of self-schemata in cognitive processing of predictions and evaluation of behavioural events. In the context of a behaviour-analytic conceptualisation of complex disorders we have suggested evaluative self-schemata, operationalised as self-ideal discrepancies, as a salient factor in the regulation of behaviours. Accordingly, it was hypothesized that negative evaluative self-schemata, assumed to guide and organize cognitive processing, would predict low efficacy expectations, impaired performance, negative self-evaluation, and unprocessed post-test self-efficacy in a coping/achievement task. Most of these hypotheses were empirically supported with the notable exception that the negative self-schema group showed only marginal deterioration of task performance. However, given a more adaptive performance than expected, this was strongly contrasted by lack of visible effect on post-test efficacy, as would be predicted from self-efficacy and self-regulation theories. The findings support the suggestion of maladaptive cognitive processing in individuals holding negative self-schemata and conform with recent evidence as reported within the cognitive-behavioural framework. Further, presented results underline the vicious cycle in maladaptive self-regulation in that on the one hand, self-schemata may influence predicted performance, but are not necessarily changed by challenging information. It is suggested that evaluative schemata activate a self-confirmatory bias, which is likely to distort perception and evaluation during the self-regulation process and expected to influence behavioural action. Implications for behavioural treatments are discussed.