Presents contradictory research findings of learning theorists, clinicians, and dissonance theorists concerning the relationship of self-esteem to interpersonal attraction and receptivity to affection. An alternative explanation is proposed and tested, based on the assumption that low self-esteem individuals are unusually receptive to affection when they realize that it is being offered, but that it is most difficult for them to recognize affectionate overtures. A laboratory experiment with 151 male undergraduates provides support for this integration. (23 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)