Knowledge of Self 1 Flashcards
(5 cards)
What is the self-concept in social psychology?
The self-concept is a person’s mental representation of themselves.
It includes:
1.traits,
2. roles,
3. goals, and
4. values used to define “Who am I?” It is shaped by:
1.** social interaction** and
2. can change across contexts.
Who are the main theorists associated with self-concept?
William James (1890): Distinguished between the** “I” (observer) and “Me” (observed self).**
Carl Rogers (1951): Emphasized the importance of congruence between actual and ideal self for mental health.
Hazel Markus (1977): Introduced the concept of self-schemas as cognitive structures about the self.
What is a self-schema?
A self-schema is a mental structure or “file folder” about oneself. It helps us process and evaluate self-relevant information quickly. For example, if someone identifies as “athletic,” they will notice moments of physical success and downplay failures.
What is Self-Perception Theory? Who proposed it?
Daryl Bem (1972) proposed that we understand our own internal states by observing our behavior—especially when we have little insight into how we feel. For example, if you volunteer often, you may infer you are a generous person.
What is Social Comparison Theory? Who proposed it?
Leon Festinger (1954) proposed that we evaluate ourselves by comparing to others when there are no objective standards.
Upward comparison = to someone better → may inspire or discourage
Downward comparison = to someone worse → can boost self-esteem
