Ch 1 self in social world

Spotlight Effect

The tendency to overestimate how much others notice us.

Illusion of Transparency

The belief that our emotions are more obvious than they actually are.

Self-Concept

A person’s answer to the question 'Who am I?'

Self-Schema

Beliefs about oneself that shape how we process self-related information.

Self-Reference Effect

Tendency to remember things better when they relate to us.

Possible Selves

Future images of ourselves (who we dream to be or fear becoming).

Looking-Glass Self

The idea that we see ourselves based on how we think others perceive us.

Self-Knowledge

Our ability to explain & predict our behavior.

Planning Fallacy

Underestimating how long tasks take.

Impact Bias

Overestimating how long emotions (good or bad) will last.

Immune Neglect

Underestimating how fast we recover from negative events.

Self-Esteem

A person’s overall sense of self-worth.

Threats to Self-Esteem

Struggles that arise when close others outperform us in valued areas.

High Self-Esteem Reactions

Defend or work harder when faced with threats.

The Dark Side of Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem is linked to depression, while high self-esteem can lead to aggression.

Secure Self-Esteem

Self-worth that is rooted in internal factors rather than external validation.

Self-Efficacy

Belief in one’s ability to succeed in a specific task.

Locus of Control

Belief regarding control over outcomes, internal versus external.

Learned Helplessness

The belief that no effort will change the outcome, leading to passivity.

Self-Serving Bias

The tendency to perceive oneself favorably.

Unrealistic Optimism

Overestimating the likelihood of positive outcomes while underestimating risks.

Defensive Pessimism

Preparing for the worst to stay motivated.

False Consensus Effect

Overestimating how common our opinions and bad behaviors are.

False Uniqueness Effect

Underestimating how common our abilities and good behaviors are.

Impression Management

Controlling how others see us.

Self-Handicapping

Creating excuses for potential failure to protect self-esteem.

Self-Monitoring

Adjusting behavior to fit social situations.

Excess Choice

Too many choices reduce satisfaction and cause decision paralysis.