Organization of the Self Concept Flashcards
People’s self concept differ in: 2 ways
1) # of self aspects
2) degree to which these self aspects are distinct from each other
Definition of High Self Complexity
many self aspects that are distinct from each other
Definition of Low Self Complexity
few self aspects that have a high degree of overlap with each other
What is “affective spillover”?
links between self aspects and spreading activation, the emotions associated with one self-aspect will “spillover” to the other self aspects
There will be more affective spillover for people with LOW/HIGH self complexity
LOW self complexity
Affect Extremity for Low Self Complexity
1) greater/less spillover?
2) More extreme emotional reactions or emotional stability
1) greater spillover
2) more extreme emotional reactions
(in response to both -tive and +tive life events)
Affect Extremity for High Self Complexity
1) greater/less spillover?
2) More extreme emotional reactions or emotional stability
1) less spillover
2) more emotional stability
STUDY 1: Mood and self esteem after bogus success/feedback from analytic task RESULTS
Low self complexity = largest change in mood and self esteem following failure/success feedback (evidence of spillover and affective extremity)
STUDY 2: Mood swings over 2 weeks, RESULTS
Low self complexity = greater variation in emotional ratings
Can high self complexity serve as a buffer against negative consequences of stressful life events?
Yes, may explain why some people are more resilient in the face of stress
STUDY 3: Stress Buffering RESULTS (for high self complexity vs low self complexity)
After stressful event, people with high self complexity:
1) less depression
2) less perceived stress
3) less physical symptoms of illness (flu)
4) no difference in number of stresses in life
(All evidence that self complexity buffers against -tive effects of stress)
Why Mixed Evidence of Stress Buffering? (2 reasons)
1) differences in well being (+tive effect on modd and emotional stability BUT mixed results for self esteem and depression)
2) one part of self complexity = more important than the other (# of self aspects > distinct from each other)
3) Integration of self aspects
of self aspects VS distinct from each other: Which one has a +tive effect on well being?
of self aspects
Explain Integration of self aspects
having high self complexity = helpful if self aspects are well integrated into a clear and coherent sense of self
If someone has many self aspects BUT doesn’t know how to integrate them. it leads to confusion about the self
Definition of SELF CONCEPT CLARITY
Extent to which the contents of the self concept are:
1) clearly defined
2) consistent with each other
3) stable
Is SCC related to self complexity?
NO
True or False: A person could be high in self complexity but low in SCC
True!
True or False: A person could be low in self complexity but high in SCC
True!
High SCC is associated with:
1) emotional stability
2) less rumination about the self
3) lower feelings of depression
4) higher self esteem
5) higher life satisfaction
6) higher perception of meaning in life
SCC and COVID 19 Study RESULTS
High SCC = adaptive responses during times of intense uncertainty/stress
What factors influence SCC? (2)
1) Age
2) Changes to social roles
Self Change x Positivity: what does SCC depend on?
1) amount of self change
2) how +tive the person feels about change
For those who felt +tive about change (role transition), what is the relationship between self change and SCC?
NO relationship between amount of self change and SCC
For those who DID NOT feel +tive about change (role transition), what is the relationship between self change and SCC?
more self change = less SCC
