The self Flashcards
self-perception theory (Ben, 1967)
we use our own behaviour as a basis for inference.
the looking glass effect (coolie, 1902) (2)
- another cue to learning who we are comes from other peoples reactions
- we learn who we are through interactions with others.
Miller, Brickman and Bolwen (1975) Study, outline and findings and inference (5)
- 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
we can learn who we are from social comparison. Social comparison theory, (Festinger, 1954) (2)
- people gain information about themselves by seeking out similar others for comparison
- we use others to evaluate our own traits, abilities, personal characteristics
we develop a self schema (Markus, 1977) (2)
- 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)
seeking coherence is universal, but independent cultures: (2)
- coherence through seeing self as independent, separate from others, expressed in inner thoughts and feelings
- describe self with general attributes: smart, shy.
seeking coherence is universal, but interdependent (eg Eastern European, asian) cultures: (2)
- coherence through web of social connections with others
- describe self using roles and/or relationships: daughter, buddhist.
what is self-esteem?
a persons positive or negative evaluation of themselves
- we are motivated to think highly of self.
What did Baumeister et al, 2003 state about self-esteem
self esteem is influenced by upbringing.
- authoritarian, permissive and authoritative parenting styles
who stated that self esteem changes throughout the life span
Robins et al, 2002
we engage in self-enhancing biases
we tend to inflate our abilities and accomplishments
how can we bolster our self esteem?
by making comparisons with others: our comparisons can be self-enhancing (vs self deprecating)
positive thinking/self-enhancement can? (3)
- give us confidence to manage life’s difficulties
- promote efforts at self-improvement
- bolster efforts at self-regulation
what is self-expression
actions that publicly demonstrate our self-concept
what is self-presentation
trying to shape others’ impressions of us in positive ways in order to gain approval
we engage is self monitoring:
self-reflection/behaviour management so that we can control the image we present to others in social situations
how do low self-monitors behave? (2)
behave in ways that express their internal attitudes and dispositions.
behaviours more consistently across situations
how do high self-monitors shape their behaviour
they shape their behaviour to protect what they think their current audience or situation demands
how do high self-monitors shape their behaviour
they shape their behaviour to protect what they think their current audience or situation demands
what coping strategies can be used for defending against threat (4)
- emotion focused coping
- escape from threatening situation
- distraction exercise, watch TV, drink alcohol
- downplay importance of threat by affirming positives
what is emotion focused coping
try to deal with emotional response to threat, not with the threat itself
what is problem focused coping
addressing the source of the stress
what is self perception theory
the theory that we make inferences about or personal characteristics on the basis of our overt behaviours when internal cues are weak or ambiguous
social comparison theory
the theory that people learn about and evaluate their personal qualities by comparing themselves to others
actor-observer differences in attribution
the tendency to attribute our own behaviours to situational causes while seeing others’ acts as due too their inner characteristics
what is self enhancing bias
any tendency to gather or interpret information concerning the self in a way that leads to overly positive evaluations
appraisal
an individuals interpretation of a self-relevant event or situation that directs emotional responses and behaviour
self-awareness
a state of heightened awareness of the self, including our internal standards and whether we measure up to them.
self-expression
a motive for choosing behaviours that are intended to reflect and express the self-concept
coping strategies
efforts undertaken to reduce negative consequences of self-threatening events
