felt self- self evaluation Flashcards
Introduction: define the self
The self can be regarded as the cognitive system that underlies self-awareness, self-referential thought, and self-regulation.
describe three major self-regulatory motives and the rest of the introduction
A good deal of research has been based on the idea that the self is motivated to protect, if not enhance, self-esteem (self-enhancement), maintain a consistent self-image (self-verification), and expand itself (self-expansion). Some researchers suggest that these self-motives are interpersonal processes that are involved in facilitating people’s social effectiveness in relationships and groups, particularly their efforts to be valued and accepted by others. As many theorists have noted, human beings have a strong and pervasive desire to be accepted and to avoid rejection, a need to belong (Baumeister & Leary, 1995).
define Self-enhancement and state its function
Self-enhancement is the tendency for people to behave in ways that promote positive self-views (and avoid negative self-views). Self-enhancement serves the function of boosting self-esteem, which is associated with higher levels of emotional well-being, more constructive goal-attainment strategies, greater persistence and determination in achieving ones goals, and positive outcomes in various life domains.
supporting study for Self-enhancement
For instance, two studies of college students showed that people valued boosts to their self-esteem more than they valued eating a favourite food and engaging in a favourite sexual activity (Bushman et al., 2011).
reasons for Self-enhancement
One reason behind self-enhancement may be that, if humans do in fact posses the need to belong, as suggested by Baumeister and Leary (1995) then given that people who possess socially desirable attributes are more likely to be accepted than those with less desirable characteristics, people generally want to maintain a positive image in other people’s eyes. Given the importance of being viewed favourably, people’s automatic orientation is towards public self-enhancement. Additionally, because different attributes promote acceptance by different individuals, people self-enhance selectively on dimensions that they think others will favour.
Criticism of Self-enhancement
Although trait self-enhancement does indeed appear to hold certain advantages, critics of this view contend that self-enhancers’ reports of favourable adjustment are illusory and mask serious personal and social liabilities.
Self-enhancement opposing study
Reactions to trait self-enhancers were investigated in a longitudinal study of person perception in discussion groups (Paulhus, 1998). Groups of 4-6 participants met 7 times for 20 rain. After meetings 1 and 7, group members rated their perceptions of one another. In Study 1, trait self-enhancement was indexed by measures of narcissism and self-deceptive enhancement. At the first meeting, self-enhancers made positive impressions: They were seen as agreeable, well adjusted, and competent. After 7 weeks, however, they were rated negatively and gave self-evaluations contradicting with received peer evaluations. Thus, according to the critical position, self-enhancement is associated with both pros and cons for the individual. Additionally, it was found that all self-enhancement measures correlated positively with self-esteem.
Self-esteem as an explanation for motive to self-enhance
Theorist have suggested that high self-esteem provides important benefits, thereby explaining why people might possess a motive to self-enhance. It has been suggested that high self-esteem is associated with psychological well-being, including lower anxiety, depression and stress; greater self confidence, resilience and persistence. If high self-esteem offers these psychological benefits, perhaps the self-enhancement is rooted in the quest for these beneficial outcomes.
The sociometer theory
The sociometer theory was proposed to explain the functions of self-esteem, which can be defined as one’s overall attitude toward oneself. Firstly, the theory has evolutionary foundations, suggesting that humans have evolved a fundamental need to be a part of a social group for survival purposes such as, mutual aid and protection (Leary et al, 1995). Therefore, to increase the likelihood of survival and reproduction, people have to be accepted by others. Secondly, the theory proposes that self-esteem acts as system with the function of minimising the chances of social rejection. For instance, when self-esteem is low behaviours to maintain relationships or prevent rejection are encouraged (Leary et al, 1995) thus, perhaps people showing self-enhancing biases are usually trying to increase their value and acceptance in others’ eyes.
Support for sociometer theory?
In support of sociometer theory, it has been suggested that experimental manipulations that convey low interpersonal value (e.g rejection, disapproval, disinterest) consistently lower participants state self-esteem. For instance, one study examined the independent effects of social acceptance and dominance on self-esteem. In the study, participants received false feedback regarding their relative acceptance and dominance in a laboratory group, and state self-esteem was assessed. Results indicated that acceptance and dominance feedback had independent effects on self-esteem (Leary, Cottrell & Philips). Even people who claim to be unconcerned with other people’s approval and acceptance show declines in self-esteem when they are rejected.
Further experimental research in sociometer theory
To examine the validity of this claim, two experiments compared the effects of social approval and disapproval on participants who had indicated either that their self-esteem is affected by how other people evaluate them or that their self-esteem is unaffected by interpersonal evaluation. Participants engaged in a laboratory experiment in which they received approving or disapproving feedback and their state self-esteem was assessed. Results showed that approval and disapproval clearly affected the self-esteem of even those individuals who denied that social evaluations affected their feelings about themselves (Leary et al., 2003). These findings indicate that the basic motivation behind self-enhancement may lie in the desire for social connections and not in a motive to merely feel good about oneself or to have a favourable self-image.
Who conducted the opposing study for Self-enhancement?
Paulhus (1998)
