PSYC2040 WEEK 2

The Self emerges @ ...

Infancy

ALCOHOL AND SELF-ESTEEM STUDY

Alcohol increased self-disclosure in people with low self-esteem

SELF-HANDICAPPING

involves creating obstacles before a performance so that failure can be blamed on the obstacle rather than one's ability

SOCIOMETER THEORY

Sociometer theory proposes that self-esteem is a gauge of social inclusion/exclusion. Perceived relational value — how accepted or rejected one feels by others.

SELF PRESENTATION - SUPPLICATION

Presenting oneself as weak, needy or dependent to elicit help or sympathy from others.

SELF-PRESENTATION - SELF-PROMOTION

emphasise one’s abilities, achievements, or competence to create a favourable impression of themselves.

SELF-PRESENTATION - EXEMPLIFICATION

attempt to make oneself appear morally worthy, dedicated or self-sacrificing in order to gain respect or admiration.

SELF-PRESENTATION - INTIMIDATION

individuals attempt to appear powerful, threatening or capable of imposing costs on others to gain compliance or influence.

Axel believes he is attractive because he perceives everyone else around him to be ugly. Which theory is most relevant?

Self comparison theory

pass the recognition test @ approx...

18-24 months

Self-schema

• Cognitive structure that represents knowledge about self

• Attributes + identities central to how we think about ourselves

• Most complex schema type

self-reference effect

We encode + remember info better when we relate it to the self

SELF PERCEPTION THEORY

• We gain insight into self by observing, interpreting and drawing inferences based on our own behaviour

• I am what I do

• Occurs when freely chosen + cannot be attributed to an obvious external factor

LOOKING GLASS SELF

• Reflected appraisals

• We gain insight into self by observing + reflecting upon others reactions to us

• We see ourselves as others see us

• Amplified by social media

SOCIAL COMPARISON THEORY

• We learn about ourselves by comparing ourselves with others

• Grades, status, wealth

• Comparison occurs even in the presence of objective info

• Comparison may be upward or downward

• Amplified by social media

UPWARD SOCIAL COMPARISON

Negative self-perception

Discouraging

Can be motivating

DOWNWARD SOCIAL COMPARISON

Positive self-perception

Encouraging

Can lead to 'coasting'

May strategically compare downwards to make ourselves feel better

TEMPORAL COMPARISONS

Comparing self at two points in time

Past vs present

UPWARD TEMPORAL COMPARISON

Present self, worse than past

DOWNWARD TEMPORAL COMPARISON

Past self, worse than present

DIMENSIONAL COMPARISONS

Comparing ability on two domains

English vs math

UPWARD DIMENSION COMPARISON

Negative perceptions on self on first domain

DOWNWARD DIMENSIONAL COMPARISON

Positive perceptions on self on first domain

what comparison type is the strongest, whats the weakest?

strongest = social downward

weakest = temporal

SELF-CATEGORISATIONS

Depending on context, people may see themselves in their groups or not.

GROUP-BASED SOCIAL COMPARISONS

• We are motivated to achieve/maintain positive, distinct social identity

• Compare ourselves to other groups

SELF-DISCREPENCY THEORY

• Body image etc

• Discrepancies between three selves cause negative emotions

3 SELVES IN SELF-DISCREPANCY THEORY

1. actual self - how we think we currently are

2. ought self - how we think we should be

3. ideal self - how we would like to be

SELF MOTIVES - SELF ASSESSMENT

desire for true, accurate info about self

SELF-MOTIVES - SELF ENHANCEMENT

desire for positive info about self, dismissing negative info

SELF-MOTIVES - SELF VERIFICATION

desire for info confirming existing beliefs about self, dismissing disconfirming info

SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY

1. competency

2. autonomy

3. relatedness

The three conditions the self thrive within

SELF PRESENTATION

Private self

- how you actually are

- how you see yourself

Public self

- how you think you come across to others

- how you think others see you

SPOTLIGHT EFFECT

Tendency to believed we are being noticed more than we really are

SELF-MONITORING

Ability to adjust self-presentation in response to social/ situational cues.

INDEPENDENT SELF-CONSTRUALS

• Self-separate from social context

• Uniqueness

INTERDEPENDENT SELF-CONSTRUALS

• Self-tied to social context

• Fitting in, collective goals