Jose got a bigger boost to his self-esteem when a stranger complimented him than when his wife did.This is consistent with:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is consistent with gain-loss theory, which suggests that gaining something positive (such as a compliment) from someone who is normally unresponsive or critical has a greater impact on self-esteem than gaining it from someone who is consistently positive (such as a spouse).

Jose Got a Bigger Boost to His Self-Esteem When a Stranger