7. The Self

Question 1

Subjective self awareness

Answer 1

The organism differentiates itself from the environment

E.g. mostly animals

Question 2

Objective self awareness

Answer 2

The organism‘s capacity to be the object of it‘s own attention
E.g. primates, humans

Question 3

Symbolic self-awareness

Answer 3

Organism‘s ability to form an abstract concept of self through language
I.e. humans

Question 4

Material self

Answer 4

Awareness of the physical world

Body, possessions

Question 5

Spiritual self

Answer 5

Inner witness to events
Thoughts
Feelings

Question 6

Explain Duality of Self

Answer 6

Self as object that can be observed

• I have property X
• me

Self as agent doing the observing
- I

Question 7

The Self

Name the two branches

Answer 7

Self concept

Self esteem

Question 8

What is self esteem?

Answer 8

How we feel about ourselves

Question 9

What is self-concept?

Answer 9

What we believe to be true to ourselves

I.e. Trails, attitudes, preferences

Question 10

Define self-concept.

Answer 10

A Schema consisting of an organized collection of self beliefs and self-perceptions

Question 11

How does self-concept evolve?

Answer 11

Subjective awareness
Objective awareness
Symbolic awareness

Question 12

Gallup 1977

Answer 12

• two groups of chimps
• one raised in isolation
• one raised in social environment
• collect baseline measure of touching forehead of both groups (they touch their foreheads the same number of times)
• anesthetize chimps and put red dot on forehead
• return to cages and introduce mirror
• count forehead touches

RESULTS:

• social chimps touch foreheads more
• socialization is important

Question 13

Social comparison theory

Answer 13

We learn about our own abilities and attitudes by comparing ourselves to other people

Question 14

Example of social comparison theory

Answer 14

If you donate $50 to charity and find out your friend donates $10, you feel generous!

This may not be the case if your friend instead donated $250

Question 15

When is social comparison theory applied?

Answer 15

• if objective validation is difficult/impossible

- when we experience uncertainty

Question 16

What are the strategies of social comparison theory?

Answer 16

Upward social comparison

Downward social comparison

Question 17

With whom do we compare ourselves?

Answer 17

Impulse: anyone who is around

Question 18

effects of Upward Social Comparison

Answer 18

Access possibilities
Realistic goals
Threatens self-esteem

Question 19

Effect of Downwards social comparison

Answer 19

enhances self esteem

Question 20

What is the effect on self esteem of downward social comparison with a stranger?

Answer 20

Positive

Question 21

What is the effect of upward social comparison with a stranger?

Answer 21

no effect

Question 22

What is the effect of downward social comparison with a member of one’s in group?

Answer 22

Positive effect on self esteem

Question 23

What is the effect of upward social comparison with a member of someone’s in-group?

Answer 23

Negative effect on self esteem

Question 24

What is the effect of downward social comparison with someone very close?

Answer 24

Negative effect on self esteem,

Because you see them as an asset, an extension of yourself

Question 25

What is the effect of upward social comparison with someone very close?

Answer 25

Positive effect on self esteem

Question 26

Outline the concept of self-perception theory.

Answer 26

We do not know what we think or feel until we see what we do | - especially with uncertain or ambiguous feelings

Question 27

Who coined the self-perception theory and when?

Answer 27

Bern 1967

Question 28

Is the situation sufficient to explain behaviour?

Answer 28

- if yes, our behaviour is due to external facts | - if not, then assume behaviour is due to internal reasons i.e. it reflects on our traits

Question 29

Explain the phenomenon of over-justification

Answer 29

EXTERNAL REWARD NOT PRESENT • self-perception of enjoyment • intrinsic motivation is high • tendency to engage in these activities EXTERNAL REWARD NOT PRESENT • self-perception of duty • intrinsic motivation reduced • lower tendency to engage in these activities

Question 30

Define self-complexity

Answer 30

Range of realistic possible selves that are entertained — Limited loss from negative event — Limited gain from positive event

Question 31

State some functions of self-concept

Answer 31

— Organizes Personal experience — Prediction and control — Regulation of behavior, feelings and thoughts — Assesses competence (OPRA)

Question 32

What is the self-reference effect?

Answer 32

Self-relevant Information is processed more efficiently e.g. words are remembered better if processed under the instructions „does this word describe you?“ — elaborating processing: rich knowledge structure, connection is made easily — categorical processing: information is entered into the self-concept (well-organized system)

Question 33

What is self-esteem? | What are the motives of self-esteem?

Answer 33

One‘s evaluation of themselves MOTIVES: • self-assessment: seeking accurate self-knowledge • self-enhancement: seeking positive self-knowledge • self-verification: seeking self-knowledge consistent with self-concept

Question 34

How do we maintain our self-esteems?

Answer 34

• Self-serving attribution bias - Inflation of our own contribution to success (e.g. job promotion) - Downplay of our own contribution to failure (e.g. divorce, accident) • False Optimism - we believe ourselves to be better than average • False Uniqueness

Question 35

Correlates of low self-esteem

Answer 35

``` — high self-ideal discrepancy — poor social skills — loneliness — depression — decreased effort after failure — weaker immune system ```

Question 36

Define self-awareness

Answer 36

Extent to which attention is directed inward

Question 37

Methods of escaping self-awareness

Answer 37

— alcohol abuse — binge-eating — masochism

Question 38

Evolution of Self awareness; name the three steps

Answer 38

Subjective Objective Symbolic

Question 39

Social self

Answer 39

Images we create in the minds of others | Roles, social identities

Question 40

Where does self-knowledge come from?

Answer 40

Other people

Question 41

Two factor theory of emotion

Answer 41

Physical arousal | Cognitive context