Self-esteem and balance with impersonal attitude objects

Previous research demonstrates that cognitive-consistency predictions should take Ss’ self-esteem into account, for what is consistent for those with positive self-esteem may be inconsistent for those with negative self-esteem. In most studies the attitude object is the S himself, so that liking for others with whom one agrees is balancing for all Ss. For Ss with negative self-esteem, however, liking for others with whom one disagrees should be …