Prioritizing the desirable over the disgusting self: self-disgust modulates perceptual processing of valenced self-representations.

Abstract

Self-prioritization effect (SPE) refers to the perceptual benefit for self-associated information during the perceptual judgement task. Recent work on SPE shows the role of valenced self in the self-prioritization. This subtle comprehension is particularly relevant to the research of self-disgust, a negatively valenced self-conscious emotion that includes feelings of revulsion and avoidance toward the self. In the current paper, we examined whether the negative self-judgments, which are implicated in self-disgust, influence the extent of SPE. To achieve this, we employed a standard perceptual matching task with four labels: self, stranger, desirable self, and disgusting self. Individual's self-disgust was measured using the Self Disgust Scale (SDS). Our results showed standard SPE with faster responses for the self than for stranger. In addition, we also observed greater prioritization of the "desirable-self" but not the "disgusting-self." Importantly, reaction times for the "desirable-self" were comparable to the "self", whereas the "disgusting-self" showed comparable RTs to the "stranger". Additionally, we observed a significant negative correlation between SDS and both desirable and disgusting self, and no correlation between self and SDS, suggesting that individual differences in self-disgust sensitivity modulate the speed of processing for valenced self-representations. Implications for the role of the "positive-self construct" and negative-self deprioritization are discussed.