self-verification theory

n. Self-verification theory proposes that once people develop firmly held beliefs about themselves, these self-views become important in their efforts to make sense of their world and guide behavior. People therefore come to prefer that others see them as they see themselves (e.g., those who see themselves as relatively dominant, intelligent, or unsociable want others to see them as such). Among people with positive self-views, the desire for self-verification works together with another important motive, the desire for positive, selfenhancing evaluations. In contrast, for those with negative self-views (including those with low self-esteem and depression), their desire for self-verification will encourage them to seek negative evaluations. When self-verification strivings override self-enhancement strivings, people with negative self-views will seek and embrace negative evaluations, a tendency that may cause them to foreclose possibilities that would lead to happier, more satisfying lives. – WBS