the michelangelo phenomenon

Question 1

what are the 2 theories of self comparison (comparing me to me)?

Answer 1

control theory of self regulation, self-discrepancy theory

Question 2

what are the 2 theories of individual comparison (comparing me to others)?

Answer 2

social comparison theory, self evaluation maintenance model

Question 3

what is the theory of group comparison (comparing my group to other groups)?

Answer 3

social identity approach

Question 4

examines the self to assess if we are meeting our personal goals. if not > take corrective action > re-operate > re-appraise. what theory is this?

Answer 4

control theory of self-regulation

Question 5

what are the criticisms of the control theory of self-regulation?

Answer 5

optimistic view > not as easy as this. doesn’t account for emotions, procrastination, individual differences etc

Question 6

what are the 3 types of self in the self-discrepancy theory?

Answer 6

actual, ideal, ought

Question 7

explain the concept of the self-discrepancy theory?

Answer 7

people are motivated to ensure that their actual self matches their ideal and ought self. discrepancies lead to psychological discomfort

Question 8

what was found in Higgins study at reported emotions between actual vs (ideal/ought) discrepancies?

Answer 8

actual-ideal > dejection (sad/depressed),

actual-ought > agitation (anxious)

Question 9

what is a key criticism for theories of self comparison? (hint: 3 words)

Answer 9

cognitive source depletion

Question 10

with social comparison theory if we are really interested in accuracy of ourselves what might we do?

Answer 10

make comparisons in both directions (upwards, downwards)

Question 11

how we maintain positive self esteem while comparing against others = which theory?

Answer 11

self evaluation maintenance model

Question 12

how do we deal with our self esteem when someone is more successful than us?

Answer 12

social reflection, upward social comparison

Question 13

deriving a sense of value from the accomplishments of those close to us without looking at our own achievement =

Answer 13

social reflection

Question 14

in social identity theory what are the 2 important aspects of the self?

Answer 14

social and personal identity (both context dependent)

Question 15

self schemas guide our behaviour but we can’t use every aspect of all of them to guide everything we do so which do we use?

Answer 15

most salient self schemas at the time > defined by the context we are in

Question 16

what do group norms define?

Answer 16

collective identities

Question 17

what did Turner et al find when coming up with the self-categorisation theory?

Answer 17

when an individuals social identity is made salient they perceive themselves more in terms of the shared group features so adhere more to group norms

Question 18

theories that look at the role of other people and how they ‘shape’ the actual self or the ideal self =

Answer 18

interdependence theories

Question 19

describes an individuals dreams and aspirations that an individual ideally wishes to acquire =

Answer 19

ideal self

Question 20

as humans what 3 things are we motivated towards?

Answer 20

self assessment, self verification, self enhancement

Question 21

phenomenon that is an interpersonal model of how significant others shape or hinder our pursuit of our self goals =

Answer 21

the michelangelo phenomenon

Question 22

what are the 3 hypotheses in the Michelangelo model?

Answer 22

partner affirmation hypothesis, movement towards the ideal self hypothesis, well-being hypothesis

Question 23

hypothesis that your partner either helps you move towards your ideal self or inhibits you from moving toward your ideal self =

Answer 23

partner affirmation hypothesis

Question 24

what are the 2 components of partner affirmation?

Answer 24

partner PERCEPTUAL affirmation, partner BEHAVIOURAL affirmation

Question 25

the extent to which the partner perceives the target in ways that are compatible with the targets ideal self =

Answer 25

partner perceptual affirmation

Question 26

partner behaves in ways that support the target to achieve their ideal self (or not) =

Answer 26

partner behavioural affirmation

Question 27

affirmation = ______ element, disaffirmation = _________ element

Answer 27

supportive, non-supportive

Question 28

key to enabling/disabling people’s movement to achieve their ideal self and for growth striving =

Answer 28

partner affirmation

Question 29

when a partner perceives and behaves in a way over and above how the target sees themselves e.g. positivity and praise =

Answer 29

partner enhancement

Question 30

when a partners behaviour is congruent with how the person sees themselves as they are now (their actual self) =

Answer 30

partner verification

Question 31

where the partner perceives and behaves towards the target in a way that reflects their own ideas as to what they partner should become (idea that the partner thinks they know best) = what phenomenon?

Answer 31

pygmalion phenomenon

Question 32

what did Rusbult et al (2009) find that partner affirmation related to that partner disaffirmation did not?

Answer 32

related to personal growth and movement towards the ideal self and partner well-being

Question 33

strong associations have been found between _______ partner affirmation and movements towards the ideal self

Answer 33

perceived