Thesis Defense: Connecting Self Enhancement and Self Verification Messages in Friendships
NSC 143D November 4, 2009
01:39 PM - 02:30 PM
Announcing the Final Examination of Ms. Ann S. Bloch for the degree of Master of Arts.
This study investigates connections between self-enhancement and self-verification and confirmation and emotional support. The hypotheses predicted a positive relationship between confirmation and self-enhancement and self-verification; people feel good about themselves when confirmed by friends; people feel that friends know them well when they are confirmed. The hypotheses also predicted a positive relationship between emotional support and self-enhancement and self-verification; people feel good when friends provide emotional support, and people feel that friends know them well when provided emotional support. A research question was also posed: Does family functioning have an effect on perceptions of self-enhancement and self-verification messages? A questionnaire was completed by 279 individuals and the data were analyzed using factor analysis and multiple regression. The results indicate two types of enhancement messages; specific (positive) and global (negative). The findings are unique to self-enhancement in communication literature and provide direction for continued research.
Faculty and Staff 
Thesis Defense: Connecting Self Enhancement and Self Verification Messages in Friendships
