Self and Social Cognition

Question 1

Cognitive Constructs

Answer 1

1) Individual - How we think about ourselves

2) Collective view - How we would like others to see us

Question 2

Self Esteem

Answer 2

Self liking, determined by your perception of your competence in multiple domains

Question 3

Domains of Competence (in children/young adolescent and young adult)

Answer 3

Domains of Competence Domains are aspects of our lives we measure our competence in,
These domains change with age:
Children/young adolescent = school work, social acceptance, sports, looks.
Young adult also has job, relationships and close friendships to deal with.
We perceive our competence and appraise it by other peoples’ reactions.

Question 4

Social Comparison Theory (festinger)

Answer 4

Festinger: We have a drive for self evaluation by comparing ourselves to others.

1. Validates our own attitude and behaviours
2. Maintains self esteem :
   - Self serving bias, causing unrealistic optimism and positive self views, or
   - Downward comparison and low self esteem cycle

Question 5

Unrealistic Optimism (Weinstein)

Answer 5

Most people predict they will have more desirable events than the average person and fewer undesirable events than the average person.
Not seen in people with depression

Question 6

Developing Self Concept (young ->older children ->teen)

Answer 6

Young children - visual self concept by age 2 (age, gender, appearance)
Older children - are aware of internal attributes, likes and feelings
Adolescents - become more abstract and complex

Question 7

Theory of Mind

Answer 7

Young children are egocentric, can’t appreciate others perspective,.
Above the age of 4, children develop Ideas about their own and others beliefs and feelings - (Absent in autism)

Question 8

Process of Stereotyping (3 steps)

Answer 8

1. Identify category or group,
2. Assign features to people in that group,
3. Generalise features to all people in that group,
   Allows us to assimilate large amounts of social information –> top-down processing
   Leads to over generalisations, self fulfilling due to negative memory bias

Question 9

Determinants of Liking

4 factors

Answer 9

• Physical attractiveness - Halo effect (what is beautiful is good)
• Proximity – Early stages of friendship, accessibility
• Similarity – Attitudes, background, appearance, assortative mating
• Familiarity – breeds liking