week 11: the self

Define authenticity.

Being true to your “inner self” by genuinely expressing your inner qualities, feelings, and values; it relies on a self-concept.

What did Rousseau propose regarding society and the self?

He argued that society’s rules corrupt the natural, authentic self and that authenticity requires “brutal honesty” and unfiltered expression.

How did Bailey & Iyengar (2022) define the relationship between honesty and authenticity?

They are orthogonal (independent). You can be “honest” but feel inauthentic if the truth doesn’t align with your self-narrative (e.g. being forced to betray a friend’s secret).

Determine Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in the context of authenticity.

It posits that authenticity involves acting with autonomy (intrinsic motivation) and genuineness (being open and honest with oneself and others).

What does the Authenticity Scale (Wood et al., 2008) measure?

It measures three factors: Self-alienation, Authentic living, and Accepting external influence.

According to Wood et al. (2008), how does authenticity relate to well-being?

Higher authenticity scores are positively correlated with happiness, self-esteem, and personal growth, and negatively correlated with stress and anxiety.

What were the findings of Kokkoris & Kühnen (2014) regarding cultural differences in authenticity?

Individualistic cultures (e.g. Germany) view expressing both likes and dislikes as authentic, whereas collectivist cultures (e.g. China) view expressing only likes as more authentic.

What did Rosenblum et al. (2020) find regarding perceptions of authenticity in others?

We are more likely to perceive someone as “authentic” if we agree with their views (e.g. seeing a speaker using “politically incorrect” language as authentic only if you share their politics).

Define “autistic camoflaging”.

The process of hiding autistic traits to fit into neurotypical social environments, often as a survival mechanism.

What did Evans et al. (2024) identify as predictors of camouflaging?

Past trauma, lower self-esteem, and higher levels of anxiety and depression.

What are the psychological costs of high camouflaging according to Khudiakova et al. (2024)?

It is associated with exhaustion, burnout, and an increased risk of suicide.

Define self-understanding.

The cognitive representation of the self, including various roles, attributes, and characteristics that an individual perceives as defining who they are.

Define self-acceptance.

An individual’s acceptance of all of their attributes, both positive and negative.

What did Ghanouni & Seaker (2023) find regarding late autism diagnosis?

Diagnosis often serves as a “turning point” that provides emotional validation and a new framework for self-understanding, though it can trigger grief for lost time.

According to Huang et al. (2023), how can clinicians improve well-being in neurodivergent clients?

By providing support and service that improves access to self-understanding, which subsequently reduces internalized stigma.

What were the findings of Ganbaatar et al. (2024) regarding LGBTQ+ youth in Mongolia?

Interpersonal acceptance and community belonging are crucial pathways to developing self-acceptance in heteronormative cultures.

Define self-compassion.

Being touched by and open to one’s own suffering, not avoiding or disconnecting from it, and generating the desire to alleviate one’s own suffering with kindness.

What are the three components of self-compassion (Neff, 2022)?

1. Self-kindness (vs. self-judgment)

2. Common humanity (vs. isolation)

3. Mindfulness (vs. over-identification)

What is the main benefit of self-compassion over self-esteem?

It provides the benefits of high self-esteem (like well-being) without the downsides of narcissism, ego-defensiveness, or social comparison.

Define self-esteem.

The overall subjective emotional evaluation of one’s own worth.

What did Midgley et al. (2021) find regarding social media and self-esteem?

Frequent “upward social comparison” on social media triggers negative feelings, especially for those who already have low self-esteem.

Define implicit self-esteem.

An automatic, unconscious, and non-evaluative self-worth, often measured via the “Name-Letter Effect” (preferring the letters in your own name).

What is “fragile” high self-esteem (Bosson et al., 2003)?

When an individual has high explicit self-esteem (conscious) but low implicit self-esteem (unconscious), leading to defensive behaviour.

What is “secure” high self-esteem (Bosson et al., 2003)?

When an individual has both high explicit and high implicit self-esteem, making them less defensive.

List the five aspects of the PERMA model (Seligman, 2012).

1. Positive emotion

2. Engagement

3. Relationships

4. Meaning

5. Accomplishment

Define Self-Concept Clarity (SCC).

The extent to which self-beliefs are clearly and confidently defined, internally consistent, and stable.

What did Yang et al. (2025) find regarding SCC and Meaning in Life (MIL)?

SCC was positively correlated with all dimensions of Meaning in Life (coherence, purpose, significance) across all age groups.

According to Yang et al. (2025), which demographic is most likely to be in the “High SCC” profile?

University students (more likely than junior high students).

According to Yang et al. (2025), which demographic was more likely to be in the “Low SCC” profile?

Female adolescents/

What is the difference between “meaning” and “purpose” in psychology?

Meaning is the broader sense of life making sense (coherence/significance), while purpose is a specific goal-directedness or “aim” for one’s life.