Fearing the uncertain: Self-uncertainty plays a role in mortality salience

• Published in: Journal of experimental social psychology 2015-03, Vol.57, p.31-42
• Main Authors: Hohman, Zachary P., Hogg, Michael A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Experimental psychology; Group analysis; Group dynamics; Group identification; Identification; Mortality; Mortality salience; Psychological aspects; Self esteem; Self-concept; Social identity; Terror management theory; Uncertainty; Uncertainty–identity theory
• ISSN: 0022-1031; 1096-0465
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2014.11.007

Two experiments were conducted to examine the relationship between self-uncertainty, self-esteem and mortality salience as they relate to group identification and defense of the ingroup. Experiment 1 (N=140) tested the hypothesis that self-uncertainty mediates the interactive effect of self-esteem and mortality salience on group identification. Results demonstrated that mortality salience only increased self-uncertainty and identification under neutral self-esteem, and self-uncertainty mediated the interactive effect of mortality salience and self-esteem on ingroup identification. Experiment 2 (N=294) tested the hypothesis that only when self-uncertainty is elevated does the interactive effect of self-esteem and mortality salience predict group identification and ingroup defense. As hypothesized, when self-uncertainty was reduced TMT results were attenuated. Results across the two experiments demonstrate that self-uncertainty plays a significant role in reactions to mortality salience. •Mortality salience increased self-uncertainty when self-esteem was not enhanced.•Mortality salience increased identification when self-esteem was not enhanced.•Reduced uncertainty attenuates the impact of mortality salience on identification.•Reduced uncertainty attenuates the impact of mortality salience on ingroup defense.