The self

Question 1

self-perception theory (Ben, 1967)

Answer 1

we use our own behaviour as a basis for inference.

Question 2

the looking glass effect (coolie, 1902) (2)

Answer 2

• another cue to learning who we are comes from other peoples reactions
• we learn who we are through interactions with others.

Question 3

Miller, Brickman and Bolwen (1975) Study, outline and findings and inference (5)

Answer 3

• teachers are parents repeatedly told a group of children that they are tidy
• children in other group were told to be tidy
• third group (control) not told anything.
• findings: children labelled as being tidy were the tidiest.
• being tidy influenced self-concept and subsequent behaviour

Question 4

we can learn who we are from social comparison. Social comparison theory, (Festinger, 1954) (2)

Answer 4

• people gain information about themselves by seeking out similar others for comparison
• we use others to evaluate our own traits, abilities, personal characteristics

Question 5

we develop a self schema (Markus, 1977) (2)

Answer 5

• once we have developed a schema of self, we look for information that confirms our view.
• our sense of who we are can also be created and maintained through selective memory (biased set of autobiographical memories)

Question 6

seeking coherence is universal, but independent cultures: (2)

Answer 6

• coherence through seeing self as independent, separate from others, expressed in inner thoughts and feelings
• describe self with general attributes: smart, shy.

Question 7

seeking coherence is universal, but interdependent (eg Eastern European, asian) cultures: (2)

Answer 7

• coherence through web of social connections with others
• describe self using roles and/or relationships: daughter, buddhist.

Question 8

what is self-esteem?

Answer 8

a persons positive or negative evaluation of themselves
- we are motivated to think highly of self.

Question 9

What did Baumeister et al, 2003 state about self-esteem

Answer 9

self esteem is influenced by upbringing.
- authoritarian, permissive and authoritative parenting styles

Question 10

who stated that self esteem changes throughout the life span

Answer 10

Robins et al, 2002

Question 11

we engage in self-enhancing biases

Answer 11

we tend to inflate our abilities and accomplishments

Question 12

how can we bolster our self esteem?

Answer 12

by making comparisons with others: our comparisons can be self-enhancing (vs self deprecating)

Question 13

positive thinking/self-enhancement can? (3)

Answer 13

• give us confidence to manage life’s difficulties
• promote efforts at self-improvement
• bolster efforts at self-regulation

Question 14

what is self-expression

Answer 14

actions that publicly demonstrate our self-concept

Question 15

what is self-presentation

Answer 15

trying to shape others’ impressions of us in positive ways in order to gain approval

Question 16

we engage is self monitoring:

Answer 16

self-reflection/behaviour management so that we can control the image we present to others in social situations

Question 17

how do low self-monitors behave? (2)

Answer 17

behave in ways that express their internal attitudes and dispositions.
behaviours more consistently across situations

Question 18

how do high self-monitors shape their behaviour

Answer 18

they shape their behaviour to protect what they think their current audience or situation demands

Question 19

how do high self-monitors shape their behaviour

Answer 19

they shape their behaviour to protect what they think their current audience or situation demands

Question 20

what coping strategies can be used for defending against threat (4)

Answer 20

• emotion focused coping
• escape from threatening situation
• distraction exercise, watch TV, drink alcohol
• downplay importance of threat by affirming positives

Question 21

what is emotion focused coping

Answer 21

try to deal with emotional response to threat, not with the threat itself

Question 22

what is problem focused coping

Answer 22

addressing the source of the stress

Question 23

what is self perception theory

Answer 23

the theory that we make inferences about or personal characteristics on the basis of our overt behaviours when internal cues are weak or ambiguous

Question 24

social comparison theory

Answer 24

the theory that people learn about and evaluate their personal qualities by comparing themselves to others

Question 25

actor-observer differences in attribution

Answer 25

the tendency to attribute our own behaviours to situational causes while seeing others’ acts as due too their inner characteristics

Question 26

what is self enhancing bias

Answer 26

any tendency to gather or interpret information concerning the self in a way that leads to overly positive evaluations

Question 27

appraisal

Answer 27

an individuals interpretation of a self-relevant event or situation that directs emotional responses and behaviour

Question 28

self-awareness

Answer 28

a state of heightened awareness of the self, including our internal standards and whether we measure up to them.

Question 29

self-expression

Answer 29

a motive for choosing behaviours that are intended to reflect and express the self-concept

Question 30

coping strategies

Answer 30

efforts undertaken to reduce negative consequences of self-threatening events