The Self

Question 1

What is the self?

Answer 1

The self is the cognitive (mental) and affective (emotions) representation of one’s identity or the subject of experience

Question 2

B.C.A

Functions of the self

Answer 2

• Behavioural
• Cognitive
• Affective

Question 3

Theoretical Perspectives of the self

William James (Functionalism)

Answer 3

The self is always changing and adapting
* Me (the describable self; physical & personality
* I (subjective self, awrae of its actions)
They combine to create a coherent sense of identity

Question 4

Theoretical Perspectives of the self

Charles Cooley

Answer 4

Looking glass theory- self conceptions are formed based on the opinions of others

Question 5

Theoretical Perspectives of the self

George Herbert Mead

Answer 5

Sense of sense is developed based on social interactions.

Question 6

I.S.F.S.S

Where does the self come from?

Answer 6

• introspection- looking inwards
• self perception- observing our behaviour for insight
• feedback from others- charles cooley’s theory
• social comparisons- upward or downward
• socialization- societal expectations helps to form sense of self

Question 7

What is the bias in knowing the self?

Answer 7

1. Fundamental attribution error & actor-observer bias: dispositional vs situational factors
2. Situational Context & Social Comparison: people view themselves based on which is salient (focus of attention)
3. Perspective across time: autobiographical memory vs possible selves
4. Self serving bias: internal vs external factors

Question 8

Personal vs Social Identity

Answer 8

Personal- thinking of oursleves as individuals
Social- thinking of ourselves as memebrs of social groups

Question 9

what is self esteem

Answer 9

evaluation of the self along a positive-negative continuum; one’s overall attitude toward the self

implicit vs explicit

Question 10

what is the self concept?

Answer 10

cognitive compent + affective component (self esteem)
Made up of:
* self esteem
* social identity
* self image
* self perception

Question 11

disucss self discrepany theory

Answer 11

actual, ought and ideal selves

Question 12

what is self presentation?

Answer 12

the attempt to control self- relevant images before real or imagined others

Question 13

I.I.S.E.S.S.S

Self- presentation tactics

Answer 13

• ingratiation- trying to get others to like us by conveying that we like them eg. flattery
• intimidation
• self-promotion- using favourable self spects to ensure others formgood impressions of us
• exemplification- presenting ourselves as moral exemplars
• supplication- presenting ourselves as weak
• self-verification perspective- leading others to agree with our self-views
• self deprecation- putting down yourself to communicate admiration