Self Flashcards
The Self and Free Will
Libet Study:
○ A ‘classic’ study that suggested our conscious mind may not be involved in decision-making
○ Based on EEG signals and timing of brain activity
What is the “I” self and the “me” self?
○ The “I” self is the active agent, the doer or experiencer, often difficult to define or study.
○ The “me” self refers to the self-concept, one’s beliefs and knowledge about oneself.
What is the essentialist view of the true self?
The essentialist view posits that the true self is an inherent, stable essence or core that needs to be discovered. It is seen as internal, potentially genetic, resistant to change, and more readily indicated by feelings than behaviors
Found in the work of Rogers, Maslow, and others
How does self-determination theory (SDT) approach authenticity?
SDT defines authenticity as a subjective feeling of being true to oneself. It emphasizes intrinsic motivation and the satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) as key factors in experiencing authenticity.
What is the relationship between trait authenticity and well-being?
Individuals who score higher in trait authenticity (a dispositional tendency to behave authentically) generally report higher levels of subjective well-being (SWB) and psychological well-being (PWB).
Curious Sources of ‘Authenticity’
Positive Moods:
○ Induce feelings of state authenticity
○ Shown in studies using incidental mood manipulations (e.g., watching a funny video)
Fleeson & Wilt (2010)
Focused on the relationship between dispositions (traits) and momentary behavior
○ Key Question: When does an introvert feel authentic?
○ Finding:
■ Experiencing states of Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, and Openness all felt authentic, regardless of the person’s actual traits.
Curious Sources of ‘Authenticity’ (Behavior)
Manipulated Behavior:
○ Engaging in behaviors that are typically associated with extraversion or agreeableness leads to feelings of authenticity, regardless of a person’s dispositional levels of these traits
○ Demonstrated in lab studies
● Variation vs. Consistency Across Roles:
○ The degree to which people vary or are consistent in their behavior across different roles is not associated with trait authenticity
How do traits and values differ when considering authenticity?
While behaving consistently with one’s traits does not seem to be essential for feeling authentic, behaving in line with one’s values appears to be more important. This highlights the role of personally meaningful and cherished beliefs in experiencing authenticity.
What is self-efficacy?
Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to successfully execute the actions required to achieve desired outcomes. It can be domain-specific (e.g., self-efficacy for math) or generalized. Higher self-efficacy is associated with increased effort, persistence, and better performance.
What are the sources of self-efficacy?
Bandura proposed four main sources of self-efficacy:
○ Personal experience of success: Past successes contribute to stronger self-efficacy, but experiencing setbacks and developing resilience in the face of failures is also important.
○ Vicarious experience: Observing others succeed, particularly those similar to oneself, can enhance self-efficacy (Persuasion is weaker than direct experience, and also depends on the credibility of the source)
○ Persuasion: Encouragement and positive feedback from others can bolster self-efficacy beliefs.
○ Physiological states: Managing anxiety, stress, and other physiological arousal can impact self-efficacy (For example, fatigue can reduce efficacy)
What is self-esteem?
Self-esteem refers to one’s overall evaluation of oneself, a judgment of self-worth. It can be influenced by personal qualities, social feedback, and comparisons to others. Self-esteem can be measured as a stable trait or as a momentary state, and it can be assessed globally or in specific domains.
What are the correlates of self-esteem?
Self-esteem is positively correlated with:
○ Happiness and lower levels of depression.
○ Academic success.
○ Persistence after failure.
What are some things that do NOT consistently correlate with self-esteem?
Contrary to popular belief, high self-esteem is not consistently associated with:
○ Objectively better relationships.
○ Improved performance on general laboratory tasks.
○ Reduced engagement in risky behaviors like drug use or early sexual activity.
What are the three components of self-compassion?
Self-compassion, rooted in Buddhist psychology, involves:
○ Self-kindness: Treating oneself with understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness rather than harsh self-criticism.
○ Common humanity: Recognizing that suffering and imperfection are universal human experiences, not personal failings.
○ Mindfulness: Observing difficult thoughts and feelings without judgment or over-identification.
How is self-compassion different from self-esteem?
While both involve positive views of the self, self-compassion and self-esteem differ in their focus:
○ Self-compassion emphasizes feeling safe, secure, and connected to others.
○ Self-esteem emphasizes being “better” or more successful than others.
○ Self-compassion provides solace and support during failures, while self-esteem can be threatened by failures.
What are independent and interdependent self-concepts?
○ Independent self-concepts, common in Western cultures, emphasize autonomy, uniqueness, and personal achievement.
○ Interdependent self-concepts, prevalent in collectivistic cultures, prioritize connection, harmony, and social roles
