Lecture 21 - Self V (Self-Verification)

Question 1

What is self-verification?

Answer 1

Motivation to confirm what we already know about the self. Not enhancement, just verifying self-views to ensure that others see us as we see ourselves. It stabilizes self views, which allows us to make more accurate decisions about future outcomes.

Question 2

What do opportunity structures refer to?

Answer 2

The need to self-verify. Create opportunities to verify by seeking verifying partners, display self-views (by acting in accordance) and biased attention/recall (recall more self-verifying experiences than not).

Question 3

What evidence is there for self-verification of self-views? (3)

Answer 3

• Study 1: interact with positive or negative evaluator.
• Study 2: act in ways that opposed someone who held incogruent views of you.
• Study 3: read a passage longer if consistent with self-views than inconsistent passage.

Question 4

What is the cultural differences in self-verification?

Answer 4

Indians and North Americans given self-perceived sociability questionnaire, then positive or negative evaluation. Asked how accurate they thought that feedback was. Both groups self-verified (positive attitudes towards positive evaluation with positive self-views), but there was a stronger effect for NA.

Question 5

When do we self-enhance and when do we self-verify?

Answer 5

Appears to be situational.
Cognition: accuracy of feedback -> self-verification.
Affective: mood after feedback -> self-enhancement.
Relationship quality: depends on point in relationship.

Question 6

What is an issue with holding negative self-views?

Answer 6

Respond with threat activation to positive feedback and are likely to become ill following positive life events. Also issues when the negative self-view is inaccurate as you will reject the truth (smart but think you’re dumb).