Lecture Notes on Self-Concept and Self-Esteem

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to self-concept and self-esteem, based on lecture notes.

Self-Concept

What we know about ourselves; directs and regulates our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Self-Perception Theory

We make inferences about our personal characteristics based on our overt behaviors, especially when internal cues are weak or ambiguous.

Looking Glass Self

Reactions serve as a kind of mirror, reflecting our image.

Social Comparison Theory

Self-concept is shaped by comparisons between ourselves and others.

Contrast Effect

An effect of a comparison standard that makes the perceiver’s judgment more different from the standard.

Assimilation Effect

An effect of a comparison standard that makes the perceiver’s judgment more similar to the standard.

Uniqueness

Attributes that distinguish us from most others become central.

Self-Aspects

Summaries of a person’s beliefs about the self in specific domains, roles, or activities.

Self-Complexity

The extent to which a person possesses many and diverse self-aspects.

Self-Schema

Few core attributes we believe characterize us uniquely among people and consistently across situations.

Self-Esteem

The positive or negative evaluation of the self - how we feel about it.

Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model

Closeness of the other & centrality of the attribute in the self-concept determines how others’ performance affects our self-esteem.