The Self Flashcards
What is the Self Concept?
Schema about yourself that contains ALL self knowledge
What are the Self Concept’s Functions?
- Managerial-organizes future behavior
- Organizational-helps interpret & recall information
- Emotional- helps interpret what we are feeling
What is Introspection?
A source of self knowledge where one looks within themselves for an answer
2 problems in using introspection as a way to gain knowledge about “The Self”
1.) Can only be used when the answer is readily clear and available
2.) Introspection can be biased
What is Self Perception?
When we are unsure of our feeling on a thing, we use our own behavior/past behavior to find an answer
When will people’s behavior influence their self concept?
When we see ourselves in either a positive or negative light
What is the 2 factor Theory of Emotion
A. People perceive arousal
B. People attempt to explain the arousal (arousal=emotion)
Theory of Looking-Glass Self
-Seeing ourselves through other people’s eyes
-Typically used when motivated to “fit in”
Who is particularly exposed to this way of learning about self
-Children
-Those who lack a strong sense of self
What are the 3 OG parts of Social Comparison Theory
- People desire accurate knowledge
- If available, people will consult an objective standard
- If not available, people will gain the best knowledge when comparing themselves to those similar to them
Which parts of Social Comparison Theory have been called into question?
- People do not always desire accurate knowledge
- People will sometimes compare themselves to opposites to feel better
What three goals motivate many behaviors related to Self?
- Self Enhancement- enhancing one’s self
- Consistency- Self verfication
- Accuracy- Dependent on goal ie being consistent, making your bare minimums, etc.
What are self-serving cognitions?
Thoughts that make us feel better about ourselves
1. Self-Serving Bias- Blame failure externally, success internally
2. False Consensus Effect- Overestimating how many people agree with us
3. Unrealistically positive self views- people believing they are above average
Examples of self-serving cognitions
- Self Serving Bias- Do well=me; do bad= NOT ME
- False Consensus Effect- Believing everyone likes chocolate milk
- Unrealistically positive self views- Believing you are better at arithmetic than most other people
What is Self Presentation?
How we attempt to convey information and images about ourselves to everyone else
What goals govern self-presentation
- Instrumental- We want to influence others and gain rewards
- Expressive- Creating an image to claim personal identity
What is Self-Image Bias
Tendency to judge others based on traits that make us look good
What is Ego depletion?
-A depletion of self control resources
-Leads to reduction in ability to engage in self control
Describe an experiment that supports that self control is a resource
Baumeister, Bratslavsky, Muraven, & Tice (1998)
IV- Ps either get to eat cookies or radishes in a bowl
DV- Time spent on the anagram
Results: If spent with cookies, people spent more time on the anagram then with radishes
What is self-handicapping?
-Creating performance obstacles for ourselves
-Used ammo to explain away failures
What are problems associated with self handicapping?
- We fail more
- Causes conflict between our Actual and Ought Self
