The Self

Question 1

What is the Self Concept?

Answer 1

Schema about yourself that contains ALL self knowledge

Question 2

What are the Self Concept’s Functions?

Answer 2

1. Managerial-organizes future behavior
2. Organizational-helps interpret & recall information
3. Emotional- helps interpret what we are feeling

Question 3

What is Introspection?

Answer 3

A source of self knowledge where one looks within themselves for an answer

Question 4

2 problems in using introspection as a way to gain knowledge about “The Self”

Answer 4

1.) Can only be used when the answer is readily clear and available
2.) Introspection can be biased

Question 5

What is Self Perception?

Answer 5

When we are unsure of our feeling on a thing, we use our own behavior/past behavior to find an answer

Question 6

When will people’s behavior influence their self concept?

Answer 6

When we see ourselves in either a positive or negative light

Question 7

What is the 2 factor Theory of Emotion

Answer 7

A. People perceive arousal
B. People attempt to explain the arousal (arousal=emotion)

Question 8

Theory of Looking-Glass Self

Answer 8

-Seeing ourselves through other people’s eyes
-Typically used when motivated to “fit in”

Question 9

Who is particularly exposed to this way of learning about self

Answer 9

-Children
-Those who lack a strong sense of self

Question 10

What are the 3 OG parts of Social Comparison Theory

Answer 10

1. People desire accurate knowledge
2. If available, people will consult an objective standard
3. If not available, people will gain the best knowledge when comparing themselves to those similar to them

Question 11

Which parts of Social Comparison Theory have been called into question?

Answer 11

1. People do not always desire accurate knowledge
2. People will sometimes compare themselves to opposites to feel better

Question 12

What three goals motivate many behaviors related to Self?

Answer 12

1. Self Enhancement- enhancing one’s self
2. Consistency- Self verfication
3. Accuracy- Dependent on goal ie being consistent, making your bare minimums, etc.

Question 13

What are self-serving cognitions?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Examples of self-serving cognitions

Answer 14

1. Self Serving Bias- Do well=me; do bad= NOT ME
2. False Consensus Effect- Believing everyone likes chocolate milk
3. Unrealistically positive self views- Believing you are better at arithmetic than most other people

Question 15

What is Self Presentation?

Answer 15

How we attempt to convey information and images about ourselves to everyone else

Question 16

What goals govern self-presentation

Answer 16

1. Instrumental- We want to influence others and gain rewards
2. Expressive- Creating an image to claim personal identity

Question 17

What is Self-Image Bias

Answer 17

Tendency to judge others based on traits that make us look good

Question 18

What is Ego depletion?

Answer 18

-A depletion of self control resources
-Leads to reduction in ability to engage in self control

Question 19

Describe an experiment that supports that self control is a resource

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What is self-handicapping?

Answer 20

-Creating performance obstacles for ourselves
-Used ammo to explain away failures

Question 21

What are problems associated with self handicapping?

Answer 21

1. We fail more
2. Causes conflict between our Actual and Ought Self