Module IV - Self and Social Identity
Module IV: Self and Social Identity
1. The Self
Definition: The self represents our sense of personal identity and individuality.
Self-Concept: Central to our lives; encompasses who we believe we are based on personal experiences and characteristics.
The self is described as "me," which includes all our ideas and information about ourselves.
2. Self-Knowledge
Understanding Yourself: Methods to gain self-knowledge include:
Reflected Appraisals: Formed by how we perceive others reacting to us.
Looking-Glass Self: The understanding of our self shaped by seeing ourselves through the eyes of others.
Social Comparison Process: Comparing our attributes to others to gauge our abilities.
Introspection: Examining our internal thoughts and feelings, though potentially biased.
3. Personal Attributes and Self-Concept
Components of Self-Concept: These include age, gender, nationality, personal traits (e.g., being smart or artistic).
Self-Concept Inquiry: Questions that help in understanding one's self-concept, such as:
"Tell us about yourself?"
"What are you not?"
"Tell us about school?"
"Tell us about your family?"
4. Distinctiveness Theory
Suggests self-definition is influenced by unique attributes rather than commonalities (e.g., defining oneself by being a debater in an all-male school).
5. Self and Memory
Autobiographical Memory: Vital for recalling self-related events.
Influences: Peers, educational experiences, and religious involvement shape self-knowledge and behavioral standards.
6. The Self in Relation to Others
Individual vs. Collective Self: The individual's personal self vs. self-concept derived from group memberships.
7. Self-Concept Dimensions
Self-concept encompasses multiple dimensions, including academic, gender, race, and more.
8. Domains of Self-Knowledge
Three main domains:
Self-assessment (SA): Seeking accurate information about oneself.
Self-verification (SV): Confirming existing self-knowledge.
Self-enhancement (SE): Preference for favorable feedback.
9. Self-Assessment in Career Planning
Initial step for informed career decisions that includes evaluation of values, interests, skills, and ongoing self-perception.
10. Organizing Self-Knowledge
Self-Schemas: Organized knowledge and memories about oneself which dictate behaviors.
Include attributes like age, occupation, and talents.
11. Self-Esteem
Comes from a Greek word meaning "reverence for self"; involves self-worth and the appraisal of personal characteristics.
Evaluating Self: Positive (high self-esteem) vs. negative (low self-esteem) assessments.
12. Maintaining Self-Esteem in Interactions
Primary motives during social interactions:
Enhancing self-esteem.
Maintaining consistency with self-image (self-evaluation maintenance theory).
13. Self-Confidence
The expectation of achieving a goal influences both self-perception and external perception.
Key Categories: Achievement, Self-regulation, and Social climate.
14. Self-Control
The regulation of behavior relative to one's ideal self vs. actual self through self-regulation techniques.
15. Self-Serving Cognitions
Biases: Tendency to attribute success to internal factors and failures to external ones; supports self-consistency.
16. Self-Focus
Heightened Awareness: Self-monitoring and self-handicapping behaviors affect self-esteem.
17. Self-Awareness
Reflects attention to one's self-concept; influenced by external judgment leading to self-consciousness.
18. The Social Self
Development of self-concept through social interactions; perceptions vary based on comparisons with others.
19. Social Comparison
Process: Learning about abilities and opinions through comparisons with others; includes upward and downward comparisons.
20. Perceiving Others: Impression Formation
Impression Formation: Making judgments about others based on initial and recurring information.
Includes concepts such as the primacy effect and the halo effect.
21. Identity
A persisting sense of self that develops through life experiences and social interactions.
22. Identity Formation
A crucial developmental task striving for an integrated self, combining personal and social definitions.
Features: Continuity and Contrast.
23. Self-Presentation
The process of controlling impressions in social contexts, influenced by goals of authenticity, idealization, or manipulation.
24. In-Groups and Out-Groups
Defined by social identity theory; positive regard for in-groups fosters self-esteem, contrasting with out-groups.
25. Social Identity Theory
Self-concept shaped by group memberships; encompasses multiple identities and impacts interactions.
26. Superordinate Goals
Goals transcending differences among individuals, emphasizing cooperative efforts for broader objectives.