Lecture 7 The Self I

Psych 241: The Self I

Overview

• Subject explored: The concept of the self.

Today's Agenda

1. Self-Concept: Understanding personal identity (Who am I?).

2. Self-Knowledge: Evaluating self-awareness (Do I know myself?).

3. Social Self: Interactions and relationships with others.

4. Cultural Self: Influence of culture on personal identity.

5. Self in Action: Benefits and costs of self-concept.

Next Class Focus

1. 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• Outdated methods like projective tests.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

1. Stimulus: External trigger (e.g., feeling followed).

2. Primary Appraisal: Immediate physiological response.

3. 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.