The Social Self

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the lecture on the social self.

Self-Concept

The sum total of beliefs that people have about themselves; a collection of self-schemas.

Self-Schemas

Beliefs about oneself that guide the processing of self-relevant information.

Self-Perception Theory

When internal cues are weak, we look at our behavior and consider the situation to understand ourselves.

Intrinsic Motivation

Internal motivation; doing something out of interest, enjoyment, or challenge.

Extrinsic Motivation

External motivation; doing something for money, marks, recognition, obligation, or to avoid punishment.

Over-justification Effect

When rewards are introduced for intrinsically motivated behaviors, the behavior becomes over-justified.

Social-Comparison Theory

When uncertain about our abilities or opinions, we evaluate the self through comparisons with similar others.

Upward Comparison

Comparing oneself to someone who is better on some dimension.

Downward Comparison

Comparing oneself to someone who is worse on some dimension.

Independent View of Self

Defining oneself using one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; valuing independence; typical in Western cultures.

Interdependent View of Self

Defining oneself using one's relationships to others; recognizing the influence of others on one's behavior; valuing connectedness and interdependence; typical in non-Western cultures.

Dialecticism

Interdependent cultures more accepting of contradictory characteristics.

Self-Esteem

Evaluation of the self; individual differences in level and stability.

Sociometer Theory

Self-esteem signals level of social inclusion

Terror Management Theory

Self-esteem acts as a buffer against thought of death.

Self-Awareness Theory

Self-focused attention leads us to compare ourselves to internal standards and values.

Better-Than-Average Effect

Most people think highly of themselves; biased towards self-enhancement.

Self-Serving Beliefs

Self-enhancing recollections, taking credit for success but blaming others for failures, and optimism about one's future.

Self-Handicapping

Creating obstacles which can later be blamed for poor performance.

Basking in Reflected Glory

Sharing the success of others to enhance our self-esteem.

Contingencies of Self-Worth

Areas upon which people base their self-esteem, such as others' approval, appearance, competition, academic competence, family support, virtue, and God's love.

Self-Affirmation Theory

Affirming the self at a broader level reduces the impact of minor threats.

Self-Transcendence

Positive other-directed feelings, that were responsible for the reduction in defensive behaviour.

Self-Compassion

Being open to and moved by one's own suffering; experiencing feelings of caring and kindness toward oneself; taking an understanding, nonjudgmental attitude toward one's inadequacies and failures; recognizing that one's experience is part of the common human experience.

Self-Presentation

Strategies used to shape what people think of us.

Strategic Self-Presentation

Shaping others' perceptions in order to gain influence, power, sympathy, or approval.

Self-Promotion

Acts motivated by a desire to get ahead and be seen as competent.

Ingratiation

Acts motivated by a desire to get along with others and be liked.

Self-Verification

Desire for others to see us how we perceive ourselves.

Self-Monitoring

The extent to which people regulate their behavior to meet social demands.