Self & Identity

Question 1

Define Self-concept

Answer 1

The complete set of beliefs that people have about themselves, which form their understanding of who they are (Markus, 1977)

“The totality of the individual’s thoughts and feelings having reference to himself/herself as an object” (Rosenberg 1979)

your knowledge, feelings and ideas about yourself.

Question 2

Define Self schemas

Answer 2

Organise and guide the processing of self-related information (Markus 1977)

Schema about self + importance to the self = self-schematic

Question 3

Two types of traits of Self Schemas

Answer 3

schematic traits i.e. those which are central to self and are most frequently used to describe self

aschematic traits i.e. traits which are present but not so frequently used for self definition.

Question 4

3 points to self-concept clarity

Answer 4

1. Confidently defined
2. Consistent with each other
3. Stable across time

Question 5

Benefits to self-concept clarity

Answer 5

• Helps maintain relationships
• Bolsters self-esteem (Campbell, 1990)
• Subjective wellbeing (Campbell et al., 1996)
• Deal with daily negative events (Lavallee & Campbell, 1995)
• Deal with breakups (Slotter, gardner and finkel, 2010).

Question 6

Define self-awareness

Answer 6

Is the psychological state of being aware of one’s characteristics, feelings and behaviours, or the awareness of oneself as unique.

Question 7

Lewis and Brooks-Gun (1978) Assessment of self-awareness?

Answer 7

Lipstick on babies put in front of mirror 9-12 months - no effect, 18 onwards - try to take it off

Question 8

Self-Awareness

Carver and Scheier (1981) two types…

Answer 8

1. The private self
   - personal thoughts and beliefs
   - Increased by looking in mirror
2. The public self
   - public image
   - increased by being in social situation

Question 9

Zimbardo – Deindividuation is…

Answer 9

(lack of self awareness)

Question 10

6 theories of the self?

Answer 10

1. Self-Perception theory
2. Self-discrepancy
3. Regulatory focus theory
4. Control theory of self-regulation
5. Social comparison theory
6. Self-evaluation maintenance model

Question 11

Self-Perception theory

Bem (1967, 1972)

Answer 11

People may learn about themselves by examining their own thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Question 12

Self Discrepancy Theory

Higgens 1987

Answer 12

• The actual self (how we are)
• The ideal self (how we would like to be)
• The ‘ought’ self (how we ought to be)

Question 13

Regulatory focus theory (Higgens)

Two systems…

Answer 13

People have two self-regulatory systems

The promotion system:

• Ideals: Hopes and aspirations
• Approach Strategic Means – for +ve goals

The prevention system:

• Duties and obligations: Oughts (ought self)
• Avoidance Strategies

Question 14

Control theory of self-regulation
Carver & Scheier
1981, 1998

Answer 14

People compare themselves with internal or private standards for the self

Ego depletion – self-control and will power are a finite resource that can be used up.

Replication Crisis:

• Change in motivation?
• No phenomenon at all

Strength model of self-control
like exercise or strength training (Baumeister et al., 1998) -

Question 15

Social comparison theory

Festinger, 1954

Answer 15

People learn about themselves by comparing themselves with other people.

1. Upward social comparison (Blanton, Crocker & Miller, 1999)
2. Downward social comparison (Wills, 1981).

Do both for accuracy.

Temporal comparison (Albert, 1977).

Question 16

Self-evaluation maintenance model

Tesser, 1988

Answer 16

Maintain self-esteem in upward comparison Especially in case of relevant and important domains or uncertainly in own ability.

Question 17

Strategies to maintain positive sense of self:

Answer 17

1 Exaggerate the ability of the ‘better’ person – freak, talent
2 Engage in downward social comparison.
3 Avoid the comparison person.
4 Devalue the dimension on which the other person is better.

Question 18

3 Types of self and identity

Variety of ways we can define our identity

Answer 18

Social Identity theory (Tajfel and Turner, 1986):
-personal self & collective self

Brewer and Gardner:
-individual self & relational self & collective self

Markus and Kitayama:
-Independent (autonomous) self & interdependent self (defined by reationships)

Question 19

Independent/Interdependent definitions

Answer 19

Inde - personal, defined by individual traits & goals

Inter - Social, defined by connections with others

Question 20

Social Identity Theory

Tajfel and Turner, 1986

Answer 20

• We have an array of individual and group identities
• These vary according to social context
• Groups you identify with influence your self-concept
• People have ‘group level’ identities

Question 21

Self esteem

Answer 21

Self-esteem is a person’s overall self-evaluation or sense of self worth.

Can be general or specific:

• Overall self
• Physical appearance
• Can be stable or vary over time/context

Question 22

‘Sociometer’ (Leary 1995)

Answer 22

Measure of social success.

Question 23

Parenting styles
(Baumeister, Campbell, Krueger and Vohs, 2003)

3 types…

Answer 23

Authoritarian: parents are more demanding and less responsive; children have lower self esteem.

Permissive: parents are less demanding and more responsive; children also have lower levels of self-esteem

Authoritative: parents who are both demanding and responsive; children have high self-esteem.

Question 24

Self-esteem sources

Internal and external

Answer 24

Internal – positive emotions, positive self-schemas, abstract and flexible self-evaluation

External – social acceptance

Question 25

self-esteem consequences

Answer 25

• Mood regulation
• Protection from the terror of death (Terror management theory)
• Aggression
• Narcissism