The Self

Question 1

Unique

Answer 1

One-off, which is not repeated

Question 2

Free Will

Answer 2

The ability to make your own decision, uninfluenced by other factors

Question 3

TS Core theory:

The Humanistic Theory of Self (4)

Answer 3

• Each of us have the power to decide on our own actions
• We are all motivated to fulfil our potential to become the best we can be
• If self concept and ideal self are incongruent, an individual will have low self esteem
• UCR helps achieve self actualization

Question 4

Self-concept

Answer 4

A person’s view of their actual self

Question 5

Ideal self

Answer 5

The person an individual would like to be

Question 6

Self-esteem

Answer 6

A measure of how much we value ourselves

Question 7

Unconditional positive regard

Answer 7

Showing an individual love without expecting certain conditions to be met

Question 8

Self-actualisation

Answer 8

The idea that each of us has an inborn drive to want to fulfil our potential

Question 9

The Humanistic theory of Self evaluation (3)

Answer 9

1. Many of the ideas are vague and difficult to measure objectively (eg establishing level of self-actualisation)
2. It is not a very scientific theory- the ideas are difficult to test and measure because we cannot observe them
3. Ignores genetic evidence, which others believe can make up 20-60% of a person’s intellectual, emotional and social development

Question 10

TS Alternative theory:
Trait theory (3)

Answer 10

• We cannot help our personality, as it is just the way we are made
• Our personality is shaped by the activity and arousal parts of our nervous system network
• Personality can be measured on the extroversion scale and neuroticism scale

Question 11

Van Houtte and Jarvis (1995)

Answer 11

-Procedure: A sample of 130 students from Illinois were separated into those who owned pets and those who didn’t then matched on 3 conditions; 1) marital status of parents, 2) socio-economic status of parents & 3) number of siblings.
Data was collected through 4 point scales measuring: 1) autonomy, 2) self-concept, 3) self-esteem and 4) attachment to animals
-Results: Higher self-esteem in pet owners, higher autonomy in pet owners & 11 year old pet owners have improved self-concept
-Conclusion: pets have their greatest impact on children’s lives as they move through adolescence

Question 12

Van Houtte and Jarvis (1995) evaluation (3)

Answer 12

1. Issues with self-report questionnaires, such as falsifications causing invalidity
2. Quantitative data may not be appropriate when dealing with complex emotional issues; reductionist
3. Unrepresentative sample (cultural bias, only one age group)

Question 13

TS Applications of research:

Counselling (2)

Answer 13

Counselling for clients with depression-

1. Avoids giving instructions and just shows that they understand what the client is feeling, and so is giving UCR to boost their self-esteem
2. Believes that the client has the capability to move forward, showing that they have free will