Silvia and Duval

Question 1

What did Duval & Wicklund mean by the “objective self-awareness”?

Answer 1

When attention is directed inward and the individual’s consciousness is focused on himself, he is the object of his own consciousness

Question 2

Describe “standards” in the original theory

Answer 2

• a mental representation of correct behavior, attitudes, and traits
• All of the standards of correctness taken together define what a ‘correct’ person is”

Question 3

What two things might happen when a discrepancy between standards and behavior arose?

Answer 3

negative affect arises

Question 4

How is this affected by belief about one’s ability to reduce the discrepancy? two ways people react to reduce discrepancy?

Answer 4

• actively change their actions, attitudes, or traits to be more congruent with the representations of the standard
• avoid the self-focusing stimuli and circumstances.

Question 5

internal attributions

Answer 5

People saw themselves as more responsible for both positive and negative events

Question 6

external attributions

Answer 6

outside sources more responsible

Question 7

How do people attribute successes?

Answer 7

• Highly self-focused attributed success to the self = higher self-esteem
• Low self-focused attribute success to other sources = lower-self esteem

Question 8

How do expectancies affect how people attribute failures?

Answer 8

• expect discrepancy can be reduced, will attribute failure internally and attempt to change self
• expect discrepancy cannot be reduced, will attribute failure externally and avoid self-awareness and reminders