Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (JCBS)
Volume 30, October 2023, Pages 1-7
Authors
Pin Zhang, Shinji Tani
Abstract
This study aimed to clarify the functional differences between the use of the Japanese word for self watashi and an individual's name under the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP). Fifty-seven native Japanese speakers participated in the study. Each participant completed the Japanese version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES-J) and two IRAPs (I-IRAP and name-IRAP). IRAPs with two labels (watashi denoting “I” or [name] or “others”) and two targets (positive or negative words) were used. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests yielded significant main effects for the IRAPs. Bonferroni post hoc tests indicated that the effects for the name-positive trial type differed significantly from that of the three other trial types; there were no significant differences between the remaining trial types. However, I-IRAP trials differed significantly from other positive/negative trial types. Only the name-positive IRAP trial type correlated positively with the RSES-J score. A mixed-model 2 (IRAP; I or Name) × 4 (four trials) ANOVA showed no main effects or significant interaction effects. Steiger's Z showed a correlation between the name-positive trial type and RSES-J scores, and the I-positive trial type did not show a significant difference from RSES-J scores. The results indicate that the single-trial-type-dominance effect only occurred in the name-IRAP.