Social Psychology Chapter 3

Basking in reflected glory (BIRGing)

A method of self-enhancement that involves affiliating with an in-group when that group has been successful.

Better than average effect

A form of cognitive bias in which people believe they are better than a typical person, even though statistically it’s impossible for everyone to be “better than average.”

Collective self-esteem

Our evaluation of the worth of our social groups.

Collectivistic

Term for cultures that emphasize the larger social group, interdependence, and family.

Downward social comparison

When we compare ourselves to someone who is worse than us, often to feel better.

Impression management

Consciously engaging in behaviors we hope will lead to desired outcomes and others liking us.

Inclusion of the Other in the Self (IOS) scale

A scale used to measure psychological inclusion of others in the self-concept with a series of progressively overlapping circles.

Independent self

A self-concept largely based on internal, personal qualities (often found in Western cultures).

Individualistic

Term for cultures that emphasize the self, independence, and personal success.

Interdependent self

A self-concept largely based on social qualities, group memberships, and relationships with others (often found in Eastern or Asian cultures).

Mirror self-recognition test

A mark is placed on an animal’s forehead, and then the animal is placed in front of a mirror. Self-awareness is assumed if the animal touches the mark on its own forehead.

Narcissism

Excessive self-love based on the belief that one is better than others.

Optimal margin theory

Slight distortions of reality can improve psychological well-being.

Positive illusions

Unrealistic optimism about the future and an inflated view of one’s self-concept.

Schema

A mental structure or framework for organizing the world.

Self-awareness

The understanding that we are a separate entity from other people and objects in our world.

Self-compassion

An orientation to care for yourself in times of failure or suffering.

Self-concept

The personal summary of who we are, including our positive and negative qualities, relationships to others, group memberships, and beliefs.

Self-discrepancy

When a mismatch exists between an individual’s actual, ideal, and ought selves.

Self-efficacy

Confidence in your ability to complete a specific task or achieve a particular goal.

Self-esteem

Our subjective, personal evaluation of our self-concept; whether we’re happy with who we are.

Self-expansion theory

The idea that we can include close relationships as a way to grow and improve our self-concept.

Self-monitoring

Individuals’ ability to strategically notice and adjust their own behavior in different situations.

Self-perception theory

The idea that we form our self-concept by observing our own behaviors and then infer our motivations, attitudes, values, and core traits.

Self-presentation theory

The idea that we present ourselves strategically to make an impression on others.

Self-recognition

The understanding that we are a separate entity from other people and objects in our world.

Self-schema

A mental structure that summarizes and organizes our perceptions about self-relevant information.

Self-serving cognitive biases

Mental distortions that enhance our self-concept, making us seem better than we really are

Social comparison theory

We make assessments about who we are by comparing how we think or act to those around us.

Social identity theory

Our self-concept is composed of two parts: a personal identity and a social identity, made up of our group memberships and culture.

Subjective age

How old individuals feel, instead of their chronological age.

Upward social comparison

When we compare ourselves to someone who is better than us, often to improve on a particular skill.

self-presentation theory

Laura Ann is very focused on creating content for her Instagram. She spends a lot of time making sure to use filters that enhance her skin and posing photos that make her look happy so that her followers will believe that she leads a happy, luxurious life. This most exemplifies which theory of how the self is social?

True (1)

If you say, “I failed that test because I got food poisoning and could not study,” you are demonstrating a biased explanation of failure. (1)

individualistic

In the United States, we tend to emphasize the development of an independent self. Thus, United States is described as being a(n) ______ culture.

An applicant plays up work responsibilities on a resume.

What exemplifes self-enhancement?

believe they are more deserving than others

When a person’s self-esteem is boosted too much, they ______.

naturalistic observation

How did Charles Darwin first explore self-awareness?

True (2)

The tendency for us to consciously engage in behaviors that we hope other people will notice and appreciate is called impression management (2)

False (3)

Imitation of others is the only way people and animals signal self-awareness (3)

a positive illusion

An 80-year-old says that they “feel like they are 65-year-old.” This is an example of ______.

self-expansion theory

Saria and Kara are life partners. Kara, who is an engineer, teaches Saria how to change the oil in her car. This helps Saria feel like a more capable car owner and helps her feel that she knows more about how her car runs. This most exemplifies which theory of how the self is social?

False (4)

There is one way to objectively measure self-esteem. (4)

A professional writer compares their own writing to that of the student they are tutoring.

Which is an example of downward social comparison?

three

According to psychologist Tory Higgins, we all have ______ simultaneous selves.

False (5)

Humility is damaging to one’s self-esteem. (5)

True (6)

Which group memberships matter to you most may change at different points in time. (6)