The Perils of PMA
A series of a series of experiments (”Positive Self-Statements: Power for Some, Peril for Others“) by Joanne Wood suggest that positive self-statements cause negative moods in people with low self-esteem. The researchers questioned a group of 68 men and women using long-accepted methods to measure self-esteem. The participants were then asked to write down their thoughts & feelings. In the midst of this, half were randomly assigned to say to themselves “I am a lovable person” every time they heard a bell ring.
Immediately after the exercise, they were asked questions such as “What is the probability that a 30-year-old will be involved in a happy, loving romance?” to measure individual moods using a scoring system that ranged from a low of zero to a high of 35.
Those with high self-esteem who repeated “I’m a lovable person” scored an average of 31 on their mood assessment compared with an average of 25 by those who did not repeat the phrase. Among participants with low self-esteem, those making the statement scored an average of 10 while those that did not managed an average of 17.