Self-Regulation + Self-Presentation

Self-regulation def

Initiating, altering + controlling behaviour for goals

What self-regulation requires

• Prioritisation of long-term over short-term goals

Self-Discrepancy Theory (Tory Higgins): 3 core beliefs about self

• Actual self: belief of who you are

• Ideal self: who you would like to be (hopes + wishes)

• Ought self: who you think you ought to be, perhaps based on social expectations (duties + obligations)

Relationship between core beliefs 

• Ideal + ought selves guide behaviour to close perceived gap between actual self + these standards 

Types of discrepancies between core beliefs (2), related emotions (2), regulatory focus (2)

• Actual vs ideal discrepancy

  • Dejection-related emotions

  • Promotion focus: positive, approach-type behaviours

• Actual vs ought discrepancy

  • Anxiety-related emotions

  • Prevention focus: avoid negative outcomes (e.g. avoid being bad daughter)

Regulatory focus tendency between different cultures (2)

• Western/independent cultures → promotion focus more common

• Eastern/interdependent cultures → prevention focus more common

How self-control can be achieved through shifting construal

• “Cooler” construals

• Level of construal

“Cooler” construals def + example

• Helps to focus on unappealing features of a temptation

  • E.g. focusing on splitting hangover next day rather than how fun party will be

Levels of construal: description (1), levels (2), how utilised for self-control (1)

• Events/goals/behaviours can be construed at different levels

• High-level construal: focus on abstract, global, core features (“seeing forest through trees”)

• Low-level construal: focus on salient + concrete details (“trees”)

• Higher-level construals facilitate self-control

Automatic self-control strategies (2)

• Implementation intentions

• Automatic temptation-goal links

Implementation intentions description, 2 components

• “If-then” contingency plans (initially controlled processing to put in plan automatic processing)

• Goal intention

  • E.g. “I intend to take care of my health”

• Implementation intention

  • “If I’m feeling groggy, then I’ll go for a run”

Automatic temptation-goal links (1)

• If goal is highly valued + have had success resisting temptation in past → temptation itself can become linked to memory of goal → diminish temptation 

Self-presentation/impression management def, associated self

• Presenting ourselves in a way which we would like others to perceive us

• Public self

Dramaturgic perspective: core concept, how social interaction is viewed, role of social interaction

• Face: desired public image

• Social interaction as drama

• Social interaction as stage for collaboration where we can play out these claims

Response cries def (dramaturgical perspective)

• Linguistic acts to save face when embarrassed (e.g. “oops!”)

Self-monitoring def

• Monitor behaviour to fit situation

High vs low self-monitors 

• High: shift self-presentation

• Low: behave according to traits/preference

Note on function of self-monitoring

• Some degree of self-monitoring required for effective social functioning

Self-handicapping def + example

• Self-defeating behaviour to protect self by providing excuse for poor performance/failure

  • E.g. not studying for exam

Dangers of self-presentation (2)

• Avoiding health practices due to embarrassment

• Engaging in risky behaviours to enhance self-image

Presenting self online: accuracy for personality + possible causes (2), accuracy for physical appearance + possible cause (1)

• Personality traits (generally) accurately represented online

  • Self-verification motives

  • Withstand offline scrutiny

• Physical appearance less accurately represented

  • Critical role appearance plays in attraction