TMT Flashcards
where did TMT come from?
ideas from Ernest Becker
what two important questions does TMT try to answer?
- why do ppl need self-esteem
2. why do human beings have such a difficult time peacefully co-existing with other humans who are different from them?
why did TMT come up?
theory of how we face death
- humans have higher order, complex cognitions and are aware of their impending death. TMT theorizes that we’ve learnt to death with this threat.
why is TMT an adaptive distortion?
why is it a symbolic defence?
gives life meaning but doesnt reduce the real vulnerability of death.
sd: allows us to function while denying the ultimate truth; live on despite body failing
what is the instinct for self-preservation?
an instinct humans share with all other forms of life on Earth
- based on ideas of Charles Darwin
- desire to stay alive
- ultimately desire for reproduction
what are some cognitive advantages of humans?
higher order mental abilities
- gives freedom of reactivity (behavioural flexibility in response to environmental stimuli)
self-consciousness gives us the ability to?
- reflect on the past
- think about the present
- anticipate/wonder about the future
== self aware
awareness of own mortality
- what is it?
- what is the conflict?
- know that we exist, and will one day cease to exist
- conflicts with instinct for self-preservation = overwhelming terror
3 types of fears of death
- intrapersonal fear of death
- interpersonal fear of death
- transpersonal fear of death
what is intrapersonal fear of death
- loss of fulfillment
- won’t be able to do everything we want to when we’re alive
what is interpersonal fear of death?
- social identity will dissipate; afraid of what will happen to family + friends
what is transpersonal fear of death?
- fear of unknown after death
how so solve problem of death?
- culture : defense mechanism against fear of death
- gives sense of self-esteem
define cultural worldview:
- what does it provide?
shared set of beliefs, standards, values
- gives sense of meaning, something to strive for, permanence, and order
what do almost all cultural worldviews address?
universal cosmological questions
- foundational story
- purpose?
- promise of immortality
2 processes of immortality
symbolic immortality: piece of you that will live on after you die (culture, art, kids)
literal immortality: afterlife (religious values - heaven, reincarnation)
what is self-esteem?
conferred to us when we meet (or exceed) the standards of our culture
function of self-estem?
buffer anxiety from death
- universal, but varies in how it’s attained across cultures.
why is believing another’s culture scary..
belief in another’s cultural values + standards undermines our own cultural values + standards = more susceptible to death anxiety
4 ways to deal with different cultural worldviews
- derogation: belittle
- accommodation: incorporate aspects into 1 worldview
- assimilation: convince them to dispose their beliefs and adopt your own.
- annihilation: eliminate threat of different worldviews by killing them.
what is the anxiety buffer hypothesis
if a psych structure serves an anxiety-buffering function, then strengthening the structure should reduce/eliminate anxiety in response to subsequent threats
anxiety buffer hypothesis study
- gave + feedback to boost self esteem
- gave (0) feedback to neutralize self-esteem. not bad or good
DV
a. anxiety producing graphics
b. non-anxiety producing
1b and 2b = no anxiety produced regardless of boost/neutral
1a. buffered anxiety based on boost to self-esteem
2a. higher anxiety than those who had self-esteem boost; acted as a buffer
what is mortality salience hypothesis?
if a psychological structure provides PROTECTION FROM KNOWLEDGE OF DEATH, reminding ppl of death should increase need for this structure.
MS hypothesis study
remind ppl of mortality
then they read pro and anti-american articles.
rated pro-american higher on likeability and intelligence
sift sand thru flag, or use crucifix as hammer = use cultural symbols less when reminded of death
