Self-affirmation improves performance on tasks related to executive functioning

•We assessed performance on executive functioning tasks following self-affirmation.•The tasks measured core executive functioning aspects: working memory and inhibition.•Self-affirmation improved performance on both tasks.•This may help explain the wide range of beneficial effects of self-affirmation

ObjectivesThe current study explored the effect of self-affirmation on two aspects of performance that have been related to executive functioning: working memory (assessed by a 2-back task) and inhibition (assessed by a Stroop task). The goal was to establish whether self-affirmation improved performance on these tasks.MethodParticipants (N = 83) were randomized to either a self-affirmation or a control task and then completed the computerized tasks, in a fixed sequence.ResultsSelf-affirmed participants performed better than non-affirmed participants on both tasks.ConclusionSelf-affirmation can improve aspects of performance related to executive functioning. This finding may help to explain the wide range of beneficial effects that self-affirmation can have on cognition and behavior.