Temporal self impacts on media exposure & effects: A test of the Selective Exposure Self- and Affect-Management (SESAM) model

ABSTRACT

Based on the selective exposure self- and affect-management (SESAM) model and social comparison theory, a 2 × 2 between-subject experiment was conducted in which participants were primed to think about their future or current self (temporal self-manipulation) and to experience positive or negative affect (valence of affect manipulation). Participants then engaged in a selective exposure task to either upward or downward comparison targets, after which their self-evaluation, affect, and possible future self were measured. The results showed that priming future self-led to more selective exposure time to upward comparison targets, but priming positive affect did not. Upward comparison time in turn induced more positive self-evaluation, affect, and possible future self. Implications for research in selective exposure, media effects, and communication interventions are discussed.

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Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.