Lecture 4: Perceiving the Self and Others

Question 1

What are the ‘big two’ content dimension?

Answer 1

1. Communion (warmth)

2. Agency (competence)

Question 2

What are the 2 social aspects that affect self-aspect?

Answer 2

1. Roles (relational)

2. Category memberships (collective) - can be voluntary or involuntary

Question 3

What are 2 possible future selves that may guide behaviour?

Answer 3

1. Ought self

2. Ideal self

Question 4

How do cross-cultural differences affect self-concept?

Answer 4

Individualistic vs. collectivist.

Unique, private and stable individual consistent across contexts vs. Fluid, public individual defined by relational mesh with others.

Question 5

What is the function of situational cues in prompting individual behaviour?

Answer 5

Activate working self-concepts that influence behaviour.

Question 6

What are two mechanisms of social construction on the construction of the self?

Answer 6

1. Social comparison. Leads to assimilation (compare with moderate target) or contrast (compare with extreme target)
2. Social feedback. Internalise perceptions of others.

Question 7

What are two mechanisms of personal construction on the construction of the self?

Answer 7

1. Introspection. Increases consistency in behaviour; improves accuracy of self-knowledge.
2. Self-perception. Infer self knowledge by observing own behaviour (esp. when self-inintiated)

Question 8

What is the implication of primarily personal construction of self?

Answer 8

Overjustification effect.

Question 9

What are two functions of the self?

Answer 9

1. Guide behaviour towards the service of goals

2. Belonging and self-enhancement to fit in and feel good.

Question 10

What is the self-enhancement motive?

Answer 10

The desire to maximise one’s self-views.

Question 11

What is the difference between traits, state, and global self-esteem?

Answer 11

Traits = cross-situationally stable
State = temporary, context specific
Global = holistic appraisal

Question 12

What are 3 mechanisms of self-protection?

Answer 12

1. Self-defensive attributions (negative = situational, positive = me!)
2. Self-defensive social comparisons (threat - downward social comparisons)
3. Self-affirmation (threat to one aspect - affirm another)

Question 13

Give 3 examples of self-presentation strategy for goals.

Answer 13

1. ingratiation - affection
2. self-promotion - respect
3. intimidation - fear in others
4. exemplification - emulation
5. supplication - compassion

Question 14

How do items become more accessible for construction of first impressions?

Answer 14

1. Concurrent activation
2. Frequent activation
3. Recent activation

Question 15

What are correspondent inferences?

Answer 15

Assumptions that behaviours correspond to personal traits

Question 16

What is correspondence bias?

Answer 16

Inferences based on correspondence in absence of conditions.

Question 17

What are the 3 features of covariation theory when given more time for impressions?

Answer 17

1. Consensus
2. Distinctiveness
3. Consistency

Question 18

What is the problem with modelling formation of global impressions?

Answer 18

Inter-trait relationships affect trait meanings = ‘trait gestalt’.

Question 19

What are the two major dimensions for traits?

Answer 19

1. Communal (social)

2. Agency (intellectual)