Mark D. Alicke, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at Ohio University. His main research interests are the psychology of the self—including the role of the self in social judgment, social comparison, and self-enhancement biases—and the psychology of blame and moral judgment. Dr. Alicke has served on the editorial board of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, as an Associate Editor of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and is currently Editor of Self and Identity. Constantine Sedikides, PhD, is Professor and Director of the Centre for Research on Self and Identity at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom. His research focuses on self and identity and their interplay with emotion and motivation, close relationships, and group processes.

A remarkably comprehensive review and analysis of a vibrant area. The volume is stunning in its breadth and depth, integrating the rich tradition of theory and research on self-enhancement and self-protection with cutting-edge developments in social neuroscience, social cognition, and interpersonal relations. Equally impressive, the Handbook bridges basic research and real-world applications, addressing clinical, health, and social policy implications. Written in an engaging and accessible style, this is an invaluable resource for students and specialists alike.--June Price Tangney, PhD, University Professor of Psychology, George Mason UniversityThis unique volume teases apart two psychological motives that are often confused. Contrasting these motives in one well-integrated book makes it abundantly clear that two distinct mechanisms are involved. The editors have solicited an all-star roster of contributors who complement each other interestingly. A broad range of perspectives are represented, from neurological substrates to cultural differences.--Del Paulhus, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, CanadaHow do people go about enhancing their favorable views of themselves? How do they protect themselves against losing face and losing self-esteem? This excellent book provides a rich and thought-provoking survey of research on these questions. The drive to make a good name for oneself and protect it from disparagement underlies a wide range of human strivings, from high achievements to the deepest excesses of interpersonal evil. This book has much to offer anyone interested in human nature.--Roy F. Baumeister, PhD, Francis Eppes Professor of Psychology, Florida State University- An edited, scholarly book focusing on strategies people use to improve or maintain their self-image....Instructors teaching different psychology courses can find interesting topics for class discussions....The editors and authors do an excellent job providing readers with evidence for self-enhancement and self-protection processes. In addition to learning about the most recent findings on this topic, readers of this handbook will glean information necessary to pose new research questions to investigate. --Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 11/19/2010

• Introduction. Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection: Historical Overview and Conceptual Framework, Mark D. Alicke and Constantine SedikidesI. Neurocognitive Bases of Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection 1. Neural Bases of Approach and Avoidance, Eddie Harmon-Jones 2. Self-Enhancement: A Social Neuroscience Perspective, Jennifer S. Beer and Brent L. HughesII. Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection in Self-Construal 3. Self-Enhancement via Redefinition: Defining Social Concepts to Ensure Positive Views of the Self, Clayton R. Critcher, Erik G. Helzer, and David Dunning 4. Moral Hypocrisy: A Self-Enhancement/Self-Protection Motive in the Moral Domain, C. Daniel Batson and Elizabeth C. Collins 5. The Role of Time in Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection, Anne E. Wilson and Michael Ross 6. Reconciling Self-Protection with Self-Improvement: Self-Affirmation Theory, David K. Sherman and Kimberly A. HartsonIII. Perceptual, Judgmental, and Memory Processes in Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection 7. Of Visions and Desires: Biased Perceptions of the Environment Can Serve Self-Protective Functions, Shana Cole and Emily Balcetis 8. Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection in Social Judgment, Mark D. Alicke and Corey L. Guenther 9. Postdecisional Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection: The Role of the Self in Cognitive Dissonance Processes, Jeff Stone and Elizabeth Focella 10. The Positivity Bias and the Fading Affect Bias in Autobiographical Memory: A Self-Motives Perspective, John J. SkowronskiIV. Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection in Interpersonal, Relational, and Group Contexts 11. The Social Consequences of Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection, Vera Hoorens 12. Seeking Pleasure and Avoiding Pain in Interpersonal Relationships, Joanne V. Wood and Amanda L. Forest 13. An Attachment Perspective on Self-Protection and Self-Enhancement, Phillip R. Shaver and Mario Mikulincer 14. To Enhance or Protect the Self?: The Complex Role of Explicit and Implicit Self-Esteem, Tracy DeHart, Julie Longua, and Jennifer Smith 15. Attributions to Discrimination as a Self-Protective Strategy: Evaluating the Evidence, Brenda Major and Dina EliezerV. Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection in Developmental, Clinical, Health, Personality, andCultural Contexts 16. Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection in a Developmental Context, Kali H. Trzesniewski, Megan Peggy-Anne Kinal, and M. Brent Donnellan 17. The Breakdown of Self-Enhancing and Self-Protecting Cognitive Biases in Depression, Lauren B. Alloy, Clara A. Wagner, Shimrit K. Black, Rachel K. Gerstein, and Lyn Y. Abramson 18. When Self-Enhancement Drives Health Decisions: Insights from a Terror Management Health Model, Jamie Arndt and Jamie L. Goldenberg 19. Narcissistic Self-Enhancement: Tales of (Successful?) Self-Portrayal, Carolyn C. Morf, Stephan Horvath, and Loredana Torchetti 20. Cultural Perspectives on Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection, Chi-yue Chiu, Ching Wan, Shirley Y.Y. Cheng, Young-hoon Kim, and Yung-jui YangVI. Boundary Conditions and Methodological Issues in Self-Enhancement and Self-Protection 21. Academic Exaggeration: Pushing Self-Enhancement Boundaries, Richard H. Gramzow 22. Measurement of Self-Enhancement (and Self-Protection), Joachim I. Krueger and Jack C. Wright