Self and Social Cognition

Question 1

What is self-esteem?

Answer 1

Self-esteem: regard or respect you have for yourself. Sits at the centre of a cycle that predicts behaviour.

Question 2

What is the looking glass self?

Answer 2

Self-esteem is also affected by the behaviour of others and so we use this to reflect our own competence. Self-appraised by other peoples’ reactions.

Question 3

Describe social comparison theory?

Answer 3

Social comparison theory, initially proposed by social psychologist Leon Festinger in 1954, centres on the belief that there is a drive within individuals to gain accurate self-evaluations. The theory explains how individuals evaluate their own opinions and abilities by comparing themselves to others in order to reduce uncertainty in these domains, and learn how to define the self.

Question 4

At what age do children develop theory of mind?

Answer 4

4 years old - This theory is absent or poor in children with autism. This helps children to ‘mind read’.

Question 5

What is a stereotype?

Answer 5

Stereotype: fixed, over-generalized beliefs about a particular group or class of people.

Impression formation: make judgements primarily on their physical appearance: age, gender, ethnicity and dress.
First and last impression last: primary and recency effects

Question 6

What are the three stages of stereotyping?

Answer 6

1. Identify the category or group the individual belong to:
   a. that’s different to other groups
   b. often clearly visible & basic (appearance)
2. Assign features in that group
3. Generalise features to all people in that group

Question 7

What are the dangers of stereotyping?

Answer 7

Negative stereotyping -> prejudice (prejudgements) -> Discrimination

Question 8

What is the halo effect?

Answer 8

Halo effect: Attractiveness is at the centre of the halo but is associated with many other personality traits and experiences. Aggregates attractiveness with positive life features.

Question 9

What is proximity in terms of interpersonal attraction?

Answer 9

Proximity: We tend to like and socialise with the people we engage with more frequently. Early stages of friendship – accessibility.

Question 10

What is familiarity in terms of interpersonal attraction?

Answer 10

Familiarity: Breeds likely. The rate of attractiveness is determined by the number of times the person is seen. We have a general neophobic.

Question 11

What is similarity (associative mating) in terms of interpersonal attraction?

Answer 11

Similarity: attitudes, social background, appearance.

Associative mating – as you spend more time together, you become more similar.