Week 7: The Social Self

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the lecture on the social self, self-perception, identity, and self-esteem.

Social Identity Theory

The theory that as well as personal identity, individuals have a social identity defined by group memberships (Tajfel & Turner, 1979).

Self Schema

The beliefs and ideas people hold about themselves, which guide how we view ourselves and react to situations.

Ideal Self

Who we want to be; one of the three domains of self in Self Discrepancy Theory.

Ought Self

Who we think we should be; one of the three domains of self in Self Discrepancy Theory.

Social Comparison Theory

The theory stating that people compare themselves to others to measure how they are doing (Festinger, 1954).

Self-Enhancement Bias

The tendency to protect one's own self-image by reflecting more on positive than negative aspects of the self.

Impression Management

People's use of various strategies to present themselves in a positive light to others.

Intrinsic Motivation

Doing something for internal satisfaction or interest, as opposed to external rewards.

State Self-Esteem

A temporary evaluation of oneself in response to events or experiences.

Trait Self-Esteem

An individual's accumulated lifelong perception of social inclusion and exclusion.

Which theory, proposed by Festinger (19541954), suggests we evaluate ourselves by comparison with others?

A) Social Identity Theory

B) Social Comparison Theory

C) Self-Enhancement Bias

D) Self-Schema

Correct Answer: B

Social Comparison Theory

In Self-Discrepancy Theory, which 'self' represents the attributes an individual thinks they should possess?

A) Ideal Self

B) Ought Self

C) Actual Self

D) Future Self

Correct Answer: B

The 'Ought Self' refers to the attributes that an individual believes they should possess, often influenced by societal expectations and obligations.

Social Identity Theory (1979) suggests that social identity is primarily defined by:

A) Group memberships

B) Personal hobbies

C) Biological inheritance

D) Geographic location

Correct Answer: A

What is the term for strategies used to present oneself in a positive light to others?

A) Self-Enhancement Bias

B) Impression Management

C) Intrinsic Motivation

D) State Self-Esteem

Correct Answer: B

Doing an activity for its own sake rather than for an external reward is known as:

A) Extrinsic Motivation

B) Social Comparison

C) Intrinsic Motivation

D) Self-Discrepancy

Correct Answer: C

An individual's accumulated lifelong perception of social inclusion and exclusion is known as:

A) State Self-Esteem

B) Ideal Self

C) Self-Enhancement Bias

D) Trait Self-Esteem

Correct Answer: D

A stable and enduring sense of self-worth that reflects a person's overall feelings of personal value and social acceptance.

Which cognitive structure guides how we view ourselves and react to situations?

A) Social Identity

B) Ought Self

C) Self-Schema

D) Impression Management

Correct Answer: C

According to Social Identity Theory, what are the two main types of identity?

1. Personal Identity: Defined by idiosyncratic traits and close personal relationships.

2. Social Identity: Defined by group memberships (e.g., being a student, a fan of a team, or a member of a profession).

How does "Personal Identity" differ from "Social Identity"?

Personal identity focuses on what makes you a unique individual (your specific personality), whereas social identity focuses on who you are in relation to the groups you belong to.

Why does the performance of your social groups matter to your "Self"?

Because your social identity is tied to your group memberships, how well those groups perform reflects either well or poorly on you, directly affecting your overall sense of self and self-esteem.

How does the 'Working Self-Concept' function?

It is the context-dependent aspect of the self. Because we have multiple self-schemas, only specific parts of our identity are "active" at any given time based on the situation (e.g., your "student self" is active in a lecture, but your "athlete self" is active at the gym).

What are the three domains of the self in this theory?

1. Actual Self: Who you believe you currently are.

2. Ideal Self: Who you want to be (your hopes and aspirations).

3. Ought Self: Who you think you should be (your duties and obligations).

What are the emotional consequences of self-discrepancies?

• Actual vs. Ideal Discrepancy: Leads to dejection-related emotions like sadness and disappointment (because you aren't reaching your dreams).

• Actual vs. Ought Discrepancy: Leads to agitation-related emotions like anxiety and guilt (because you aren't meeting your responsibilities).

Explain the "Overjustification Effect."

This occurs when an external reward (extrinsic motivation) is introduced for a task that a person already enjoyed doing for fun (intrinsic motivation). The reward actually decreases their original interest in the task.

Can you list the four main ways we gather self-knowledge according to your notes?

1. Self-Schemas: Forming mental frameworks and maintaining them to protect self-esteem.

2. Self-Discrepancy: Working to resolve the gaps between our Actual, Ideal, and Ought selves.

3. Self-Perception: Observing our own behavior to determine our motivations.

4. Social Comparison: Comparing ourselves to others to see where we stand.