The social self Flashcards
Introspection
looking inward at ones own thought and feelings.
We use introspection to learn something about ourselves.
However, how valuable/correct it is depends on many factors.
Self-concept
The self-concept is the sum total of a persons beliefs about his or hers own attributes.
self-esteem
Self-esteem refers to a persons positive and negative evaluation of the self.
its a sum of evaluation of many aspects of the self.
can fluctuate depending on time and situation.
people differ in high/low and stable/unstable.
self-presentation
strategies people use to shape what others think of them.
Strategic self-presentation:
- Ingratation (get along)
- self-promotion (get ahead)
Self-verification:
- The goal of having others perceive us as we perceive ourselves.
self-regulation
the prosess where people control their thoughts, feelings or behaviors in relation to (or in order to to achieve) some goal.
self-perception
Part of the self-concept
The theory that when internal cues are difficult to interpret, people gain self-insight by observing their own behavior.
Autobiografical memory
Memories are central to the self-concept
But memory storage andretrieval is selective (often in a self-enhancing way).
what does the self concept consist of (the cognitive components)
- introspection
- self-presentation
- other peoples influences
- Autobiografical memories
- culture
Culture and self-concepts
Culture helps forming us in a certain way.
- Independent cultures –> distinct, autonomous, self-contained
- Interdependent culture –> the self is a part of a larger network.
Components of the self-esteem
- The need
- Self-discrepancy
- self-awareness trap
- self-enhancement
- positive illusions
Why do we need self-esteem?
It’s part of the fundamental human motivation.
two theories
- the sociometer theory: need to connect with others.
detection or rejection/acceptance is reflected in self esteem.
- Terror manegment theory: we are terrified by our inevitable death, everything (incl. self-esteem) distract us and thus save us from this fact.
Self-Discrepancy Theory
The theory suggests that people compare themselves to internalized standards, or “self-guides,” which lead to emotional reactions based on discrepancies between different versions of the self.
three main domains of the self:
1. Actual self: Your current self-concept—how you see yourself now, including your attributes and qualities.
2: Ideal self: The person you aspire to be, representing hopes, dreams, and personal goals.
3: Ought self: Who you think you should be, based on your sense of duties, obligations, or responsibilities—often shaped by societal expectations or the views of significant others.
The self-awareness trap
Around 8% of our thoughts are about ourselves, often negative.
The theory suggest that self-focused attention increases likelihood of noticing discrepancies.
The consequences is either behavioral change or escaping the self-awareness.
Different Mechanisms of Self-Enhancement
‘Better-than-average effect’
- Above average with respect to positive traits
– Exaggerating control over life events
– Effectiveness as speaker
– Contributions to a group
Other illusions that supports this:
- Self-serving beliefs
- Self-handicapping
- Basking in reflected glory
- Downward social comparison.
Positive illusions
Yes:
- (Mildly) depressed people often have more realistic self-views
- Positive illusions promote happiness, desire to care for others, ability to engage in productive work (= sign of good mental health)
No:
- Complete ignorance of negative feedback is not a good sign
