The Social Self and Social Psychology

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from social psychology, including definitions of theories, models, and trends relevant to understanding social behavior and identity formation.

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others.

The Social Self

Involves interactions with others and reflects how social behavior stems from our sense of self.

Looking Glass Self

Concept by Charles Horton Cooley that describes how we internalize others' judgments of us as if we are looking into a mirror.

Self-Concept

The complete set of beliefs people have about themselves, representing the holistic picture of one's identity.

Self-Schema

Distinct beliefs about oneself that together form the self-concept, including traits, skills, goals, and fears.

Self-Concept Clarity

The extent to which self-schemas are clearly and confidently defined, consistent with one another, and stable over time.

Multiple Role Theory

Posits that having more roles provides more opportunities for growth and well-being, but may also increase chances for failure.

Contingent Self-Esteem

A type of self-esteem that varies based on specific domains like academics or social acceptance.

Diary Study

A repeated measures design to measure the same things from the same participants over time to observe changes, avoiding social desirability bias.

Social Comparison Theory

Theory asserting that people define themselves by comparing themselves to others, using both upward and downward comparisons.

Social Identity Theory

Proposed by Henri Tajfel, it states that part of an individual’s self-concept is derived from their knowledge of membership in social groups.

Groupthink

Faulty thinking in cohesive groups resulting in the desire for consensus overriding realistic appraisal of facts.

Minority Influence

The ability of a minority to influence a majority through consistent and confident expression of views.

WEIRD Bias

Over-reliance on Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic samples in psychological research.

Cultural Psychology

Study of how culture reflects and shapes the mind and behavior of its members.

Individualism vs. Collectivism

Cultural beliefs distinguishing individualistic cultures, valuing independence, from collectivist cultures, which value interdependence.

Theory of Planned Behavior

Suggests that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control affect behavioral intentions.

Implicit Attitudes

Automatic evaluative responses to objects that occur without conscious awareness, often measured through the Implicit Association Test (IAT).