CH. 1 - Understanding the Self: Concepts and Theories

Self

An individual's perception of their identity.

Schemas

Mental structures organizing information and associations.

Self-schemas

Cognitive representations of self from past experiences that

organize the processing of self-related information in social experiences

Self-reference effect

Better processing of self-related information.

Executive Function

Cognitive processes managing goal-directed behavior.

Independent view of self

Defining self by one’s own internal thoughts and feelings.

Interdependent view of self

Defining oneself by relationships with others.

Cultural differences

Variations in self-concept across cultures.

Introspection

Looking inward to understand oneself.

Self-awareness theory

We become self-conscious; objective, judgmental observers of ourselves

Self-consciousness

Awareness of oneself as an object of observation.

Self-other errors

Memory inaccuracies regarding self versus others.

Who am I? test

Assessment of self-concept through personal statements.

Past experiences

Previous events that influence current self-perception.

Group differences

Independent vs Interdependent

Automaticity

Unconscious thought processes influencing behavior.

Behavior Prediction

Anticipating actions in hypothetical scenarios.

Swim & Hyer Study

Study showing discrepancies in predicted vs. actual behavior.

Relationship Outcome Prediction

Forecasting future status of personal relationships.

One’s Predictions About Our Own Relationships

Self-assessments of relationship longevity are often inaccurate.

External Predictions

Roommates and parents provide more accurate relationship forecasts.

Introspective Limitations

Challenges in accurately understanding one's own influences.

Affective Forecasting

Predicting future emotions' duration and intensity.

Miswanting

Misjudging intensity or duration of desired outcomes.

Immune Neglect

Unawareness of psychological adaptation to negative events.

Focus Problem

Overemphasis on single events affecting well-being.

Adaptation/Hedonic Treadmill

Desire increases as we adapt to positive changes.

Intrinsic Motivation

Engaging in activities for enjoyment and satisfaction.

Extrinsic Motivation

Engaging in activities for external rewards or pressures.

Gilbert et al. (1998)

Study on affective forecasting and emotional predictions.

Psychological Adaptation

Adjusting emotionally to significant life changes.

Intrinsic motivation

Engaging in activity for enjoyment.

Extrinsic motivation

Engaging in activity for rewards or pressures.

Overjustification Effect

Underestimating intrinsic reasons due to compelling extrinsic reasons

Social comparison theory

Learning about self through comparisons with others.

Upward social comparison

Comparing to those better in traits or abilities.

Downward social comparison

Comparing to those worse in traits or abilities when we want to feel better

Self-efficacy

Sense of one's own competence.

Locus of control

Perception of control over outcomes.

Self-serving bias

Attributing success to self, failure to circumstances.

Unrealistic optimism

Belief that bad things won't happen to oneself.

Learned Helplessness

Repeated uncontrollable negative events leads to

resignation and hopelessness

Positive self-view

Maintaining an optimistic perception of oneself.

Self-perception theory

Understanding oneself through looking at our own behavior in the situation.