Lecture 7 The Self I
Psych 241: The Self I
Overview
Subject explored: The concept of the self.
Today's Agenda
Self-Concept: Understanding personal identity (Who am I?).
Self-Knowledge: Evaluating self-awareness (Do I know myself?).
Social Self: Interactions and relationships with others.
Cultural Self: Influence of culture on personal identity.
Self in Action: Benefits and costs of self-concept.
Next Class Focus
Self-Regulation: Including self-control and emotion regulation.
The Search for the Self
Reflexive thought differentiates humans from other species, enabling self-examination and awareness.
Self-recognition is primarily observed in humans and a few animals (e.g., great apes, elephants, dolphins).
Important for developing a self-concept.
William James: The Self
I-Self
Also known as the Knower or Experiencer.
Reflects present consciousness and storytelling aspect of the self.
Me-Self
Also known as the Known.
Comprises past experiences and informs the overall self-concept.
The Self-Concept
Extremely vital focus in our lives, described by the cocktail party effect illustrating selective attention and awareness.
A sudden mention of one's name can shift attention immediately, showcasing the central status of the self.
Definition
Self-Concept: Knowledge about oneself encompassing traits, social identities, and experiences.
Composed of Self-Schemas: Personal beliefs that guide how one processes self-relevant information.
Self-Schematic Individuals
Insights are stronger regarding dimensions seen as important or where extreme views exist.
Self-Knowledge: Awareness Techniques
Outdated methods like projective tests.
Reliance on introspection and intuitions to understand self.
Predicting emotions and behaviors via self-perception theory and social context comparisons.
Projective Methods
Association Method
Explore the unconscious self by eliciting immediate responses (first words).
Example responses on prompts reveal subconscious fixations.
Animal Projection
Responding to hypothetical animal identification can reflect hidden wishes.
Introspection
Reflection on personal thoughts and motives, questioning if this leads to better self-knowledge than others' perspectives.
Nisbett & Wilson (1977): Limitations in understanding the reasons behind our actions.
Who Knows Us Better?
Self-awareness vs. others' perspectives varies based on:
The observability of traits
The evaluative nature of self-assessment (positive or negative).
Predicting Our Feelings
Affective Forecasting
Assessing emotional reactions to hypothetical situations (e.g., failure, success).
Predictions often underestimate emotional intensity and duration.
Factors: Focus, psychological self-defense mechanisms (rationalization).
Perception of One's Own Behavior
Self-Perception Theory
When internal cues are unclear, people infer emotions from behavior.
Influenced by lack of situational pressures.
Emotions and Facial Feedback
Facial Feedback Hypothesis: Facial expressions influence emotional experiences.
Evidence from studies showing the connection between expressions and emotions.
Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
Motivation in Activities
Intrinsic Motivation: Driven by internal rewards.
Extrinsic Motivation: Driven by external rewards, which can diminish intrinsic motivation in contexts associated with external rewards.
Example: Lepper et al. (1973) demonstrated overjustification effect.
Social Context of Self
Self-concept is not static; it shifts with personal and situational variables.
Unique aspects of self become prominent based on context.
Influence of Others
Social Comparison Theory
Self-evaluation often occurs in relation to others, particularly when self-assessment is uncertain.
Comparisons are typically made with similar others.
Influence of Cognition on Emotions
Lazarus's Cognitive Appraisal Theory
Stimulus: External trigger (e.g., feeling followed).
Primary Appraisal: Immediate physiological response.
Secondary Appraisal: Interpretation of the stimulus leads to emotional labeling and experience.
Two-Factor Theory of Emotion
Necessary to experience physiological arousal and interpret this arousal to identify specific emotions.
Insight from Schachter and Singer (1962) on how social contexts can influence one’s emotional experience.
Self-Concept and Social Identities
Individual self-identities encompass various group memberships; recognizing oneself through multiple facets (e.g., race, job).
Cultural Self
Definition of Culture
An organized set of beliefs, values, and practices shared by a community, which molds individual identities.
Examples of Identity Perception
Informing responses about personal identity varies across cultures.
Individualism vs. Collectivism
North American/Western Cultures
Focus on personal achievements, rights, and individual goals leading to self-definitions based on personal attributes.
Characteristics include independent selves and analytic reasoning.
Eastern Cultures
Emphasis on group goals over personal ones leading to collectivist self-definition.
Characteristics include interdependent selves and holistic reasoning.
Narcissism Trends
Current Observations
Rising narcissism linked to societal changes and self-esteem movements.
Evidence from shifts in personality traits across generations, showing increased entitlement and social disconnect.
Narcissism Measurement
Self-reported narcissism levels rising; implications on social behaviors and emotional well-being.
Social Media and Narcissism
Impact of Online Engagement
Social media platforms offer narcissists a venue for validation and self-presentation.
Likes on posts serve as reinforcing feedback cycles.
Conclusion: The Evolving Self
Narcissism appears to correlate with dwindling empathy and perspective-taking across generations, warranting further exploration into societal impacts on self-perception.