Chapter 4: The Self Flashcards
Self-other accuracy problem
the tendency to be inaccurate about ourselves due to the fact that we alone have access to knowing our intentions. Additionally, we think (and truly may) know others better than they know themselves because “actions speak louder than words” (i.e., someone who is always late, regardless of their INTENTION to be on time, is still simply always late)
Self-promotion
When people try to ensure that others form impressions f them based on their most favorable self-aspects.
Self-verification perspective
The processes we use to lead others to agree with our own self-views. We may still wish to have other people - esp those closest to us - see us as we see ourselves, even if it means potentially receiving information that is negative about ourselves.
Integration tactics
Social tactics used to make a good impression on others; if not used carefully, these can be overdone easily
Self-deprecating
A form of an integration tactic, when we imply that we are not as good as the other person, admiring them or lowering an audience’s expectations of our abilities.
Introspection
Privately thinking about the factors that made us who we are
Social identity theory
According to this theory, we can perceive ourselves differently at any given moment in time, depending on where we are on the personal-verus-social identity continuum
Personal-versus-social identity continuum
At the personal end of this continuum, we think of ourselves primarily as individuals. At the social end, we think of ourselves primarily as members of specific social groups. We do not experience all aspects of our self-concept simultaneously; where we place ourselves on this continuum at any given moment will influence how we think about ourselves.
Salience
The part of our identity that is the focus of our attention
Intragroup comparison
Descriptions of self at the personal identity level, involving comparisons with other individuals who share our group membership
Intergroup comparison
Descriptions of self at the social identity level, involving contrasts between groups. We perceive ourselves as part of the group, so we emphasize what we share with other group members, and how the group as a whole differs from other groups as whole’s.
Self-construal
How we characterize ourselves
Social network analysis
Where the number of friendship ties between members of a school population were calculated
autobiographical memory
strategically comparing present selves with past selves. two main reactions take place:
- the “distant” self was criticized more strongly compared to the “nearer” self
- when close to a recent failure, the “nearer” self is seen less positively than the “distant” self
Possible selves
Thinking about a positively valued possible self can inspire people to forego current, short-lived pleasurable activities that might hinder bringing about this improved future self.
Role models
Other people we wish to imitate or be like
self-control
Refraining from actions we might enjoy more, and performing actions we prefer not to for the purpose of moving ourselves toward future goals.
Ego depletion
The diminished capacity to exert subsequent self-control after previously doing so. This is often expected in many domains requiring self-regulation
Downward social comparison
When your own performance is compared with someone who is less capable than yourself.
Upward social comparison
Comparing your performance on the same task to someone who is better at it than you, and the result is that you might not feel good about yourself. Upward social comparison is often threatening to our positive self-image.
Social comparison theory
Suggests that we compare ourselves to others because for many domains and attributes, there is no objective yardstick to evaluate ourselves against; other people are therefore highly informative. Judging similarities is often based on broad social categories such as age, sex, gender, race, or experience in a particular task
Self-evaluation maintenance
Applies when we categorize the self at the personal level, and we compare ourselves as an individual to another individual
Social identity theory
Applies when we categorize ourselves at the group level (a woman, a student), and the comparison to other is categorized as sharing the same category as ourselves.
Above average effect
We think we are better than the average person on almost every dimension imaginable
Implicit self-esteem
Self-feelings of which we are not consciously aware of. Automatic associations between the self and positive or negative concepts.
