Chapter 5 - The Self Flashcards
What is Self-Schema?
-It is knowledge about the self (e.g., attitudes, preferences, traits) that influences what we notice, think about, and remember about ourselves.
-Our self-schemas make up our self-concept ().
What is Introspection?
-The process whereby people look inward and examine their own thoughts, feelings, and motives. Used to think about who we are and know what to do in situations.
-Not used often - and even when people engage in introspection, the reasons for their feelings and behaviours can be hidden from conscious awareness.
What is Self-Awareness Theory?
-It proposes that when people focus their attention on themselves, they evaluate and compare their behaviour to their internal standards and values.
-Self-awareness can be uncomfortable when you are confronted with disagreeable feedback about yourself.
-Mirrors trigger self-awareness in all of us (forced introspection).
What are the cultural differences in self-awareness?
-Those in collectivist cultures are more likely to have an outsider perspective of the self; viewing themselves through the eyes of other people (more realistic view between their actual self and ideal self).
-People in individualistic cultures are more likely to have an insider perspective of the self; focusing on private experiences without considering how others see them (when asked to be introspective, they focus on what only they know and how they think about themselves).
What is Self-Perception Theory?
-When we are unsure about our attitudes or feelings toward something, we look to our relevant behaviour for answers.
What is Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation?
-Intrinsic motivation is the desire to engage in an activity because we enjoy it, or find it interesting.
-Extrinsic motivation is the desire to engage in an activity because of external rewards or pressures.
What is the Overjustification Effect?
-The case whereby people view their behaviour as caused by extrinsic reasons.
-Replacing intrinsic motivation with extrinsic motivation makes people lose interest in the activity they initially enjoyed.
How to preserve intrinsic interest?
-Rewarding for performing well on a task (performance-contingent rewards) is less likely to decrease intrinsic interest than is rewarding for simply performing a task (task-contingent rewards).
What is Social Comparison Theory?
-It proposes that we compare ourselves to similar others when we experience some uncertainty about ourselves in a particular area (e.g., academic ability).
-We learn about our own abilities and attitudes by comparing ourselves to others.
What is Upward Social Comparison?
-The process whereby we compare ourselves to people who are/perceived as better than we are in a particular trait or ability.
-It is usually threatening to our self-esteem.
-Can be a source of inspiration if we feel we can imagine achieving the same. (aspire to be this person)
What is Downward Social Comparison?
-The process whereby we compare ourselves to people who are/perceived as worse than we are in a particular trait or ability.
-Also includes comparing current performance to past performance.
-A self-protective, self-enhancing strategy (makes us feel better).
-Positive effect occurs only if we don’t feel vulnerable to the other’s negative outcome.
What are the cultural differences in Social Comparison?
-Lockwood et al. found that European-Canadians were more motivated by positive (successful) role models; whereas Asian-Canadians were more motivated by negative (unsuccessful) role models.
-Individualist cultures use more upward social comparison.
-Collectivist cultures use more downward social comparison.
-It is hypothesized that people from collectivist cultures are driven by avoiding failure, and those in individualistic cultures are driven by achieving success.
What is the Sociometer Theory?
-A sociometer monitors the environment for cues about the extent to which we are accepted or rejected by others.
-High self-esteem individuals are more likely to seek out social connection than those low in self-esteem.
What is Self-Verification Theory?
-Suggests that people have a need to seek confirmation of their self-concept, whether the self-concept is positive or negative. (we want self-schemas to be verified/confirmed by others)
-In some circumstances, this tendency can conflict with the desire to uphold a favourable view of oneself.
-The desire for accurate feedback depends on the dimension being assessed, and the person evaluating us.
