The Social Self

Question 1

What is the self

Answer 1

The self is a concept – a set of beliefs and perceptions you have about yourself

Self influences how we think, feel and behave

Question 2

Self-Reference Effect

Answer 2

The tendency to RECALL information that applies to the self

Question 3

Implicit Egotism

Answer 3

Unconscious tendency to prefer people or things that resemble the self

Question 4

Actual self

Answer 4

The self you actually are

Question 5

Ideal self

Answer 5

Self you aspire to be

Question 6

Ought self

Answer 6

Self you think you should be

Question 7

Self Discrepancy Theory

Answer 7

Experience discrepancies between our actual self and either our ideal self and our ought self

Question 8

Self Discrepancy Theory: feel dejection

Answer 8

Actual self – ideal self discrepancy

Question 9

Self Discrepancy Theory: feel anxiety

Answer 9

Actual self – ought self discrepancy

Question 10

Looking Inward

Answer 10

Introspection

Examine the content of our thoughts and feelings

Look inside we make mistakes, guess or give what we assume are plausible or socially desirable answers

Question 11

Looking Outward

Answer 11

Look to the outside world

Think about how we are perceived and viewed by other people and groups of people

Looking-glass self

Question 12

Similar social comparison

Answer 12

Someone similar provides the most accurate feedback

Question 13

Upward social comparison

Answer 13

Someone ‘superior’ makes us feel worse, but can provide important information about how to improve

Question 14

Downward social comparison

Answer 14

Someone ‘inferior’ can boost our egos, but not provide valuable info on how to improve

Question 15

Self-Esteem

Answer 15

Positive or negative overall evaluation we have of ourselves

Question 16

What is self-esteem associated with

Answer 16

Positive outcomes

Ex. achievements, satisfaction with life, physical health

Question 17

What are the Dangers to High Self-Esteem

Answer 17

Psychopaths have inflated sense of self-worth

Alcohol increases self-esteem and aggression

Murders and rapists have inflated self view

Gang members are most violent when they are disrespected or threatened

Narcissism

Question 18

Independent view of the self

Answer 18

Fundamental task of socialization is to help children learn independence

Not overlapping with others

Western culture

Question 19

Interdependent view of the self

Answer 19

Blending with group is important

In many Eastern, African and Latin cultures

Question 20

How Do We Present Ourselves to Others

Answer 20

We try to control how others see us

We may present ourselves differently in public and in private

Question 21

What are the benefits of strategically presenting ourselves

Answer 21

Self-monitoring

May help us to get what we want and maintain valued relationships

Question 22

Self-monitoring

Answer 22

Change self to the situation

Question 23

What are the endangers of strategically presenting ourselves

Answer 23

Many people try to get a suntan because they believe it makes them look attractive, even though it causes skin cancer

Many young people smoke cigarettes in the effort to look ‘cool’ in front of others

Some people resist wearing helmets when riding bicycles in order to look brave or to avoid messing up their hair

Question 24

Self-Handicapping

Answer 24

Tendency to engage in self-defeating behaviour to prevent others from assuming that poor performance is due to lack of ability

Ex. Stay up late partying before an exam