PSY2203 Lecture 8: The Self I, Making life easier, better, and more positive Flashcards
Give a little intro on why we have these self-serving, positive biases?
Tries to get us to see ourselves in a good light, and this is healthy until it become delusional.
What are the three categorises of positive unhealthy delusional views?
- Unrealistic positive views of self
- Unrealistic optimism
- Unrealistic perception of self-control
THIS LECTURE ONLY FOCUSES ON FIRST TWO.
Tell me about unrealistic positive views of self
We attribute negative outcomes to situation and positive outcomes to disposition to feel good about ourselves.
There is also a cognitive element to why we have this skewed view of how amazing we are: we expect success, so when this coincides with reality it weighs heavier in our memory.
Theres also motivated scepticism
What is motivated scepticism (relating to about how we have unrealistic positive views of ourselves)
We shleter our self-esteem from damaging feedback.
(i.e.) choose friends with similar views, see ambigious feedback in positive light, discredit source.
What is cognitive dissonance reduction (relating to about how we have unrealistic positive views of ourselves)
When we do something bad (i.e.) smoke, instead of just accepting that we are taking an L in life, we reduce this cognitive dissonance by either quitting smoking, or adjusting beliefs about smoking.
Bluffers guide to rationalisation explains how we do this:
Seek cognitions consistent with discrepancy
Change your attitude so there is no discrepancy
Affirm sense of self as positive in other related domains
Trivialization
What is defensive pesimissism (relating to about how we have unrealistic positive views of ourselves)
When theres an anxiety-provoking event, expect the worst so that if it goes wrong it doesnt hurt your ego. This can even lead people to partake in self-handicap, where they do something to hinder their performace so failure can be blamed on that rather than their disposition.
What is biased theory generation (relating to how we have unrealistic optimism about our future)
we believe our personality is responsible for positive outcomes. This makes us feel more in control of good things happening to us as we think our personality causes them.
What is empirical evidence of biased theory generation (relating to how we have unrealistic optimism about our future)
Kunda (1987)- people read about divorced / married people with various attributes. People claimed attributes as contributing to marriage (not divorced) outcome when person had same attributes as them.