Self and Identity Key Words Flashcards
Symbolic interactionism
Theory of how the self emerges from human interaction - involves trading symbols that are usually consensual and represent abstract properties rather than concrete objects
Looking-glass self
The self derived from seeing ourselves as others see us
Schema
Cognitive structure that represents knowledge about a concept or type of stimulus and its attributes and the relations among these attributes
Self-discrepancy theory
Higgins’ theory about the consequences of making actual ought self comparisons that reveal self discrepancies
Self-regulation
Strategies that we use to match our own behaviour to an ideal or ought self
Regulatory focus theory
Promotion focus causes people to be approach-oriented in constructing a sense of self.
Prevention focus causes people to be more cautious and avoidant in constructing a self
Self-perception theory
Bern’s idea that we gain knowledge of ourselves only by making self-attributions.
E.g - we infer our attitudes from our own behaviour
Over justification theory
In the absence of obvious external causes for our behaviour, we assume that we freely chose the behaviour because we enjoy it
Social comparison theory
Comparing our behaviours and opinions with those of others in order to establish the correct or socially approved way of thinking or behaving
Self evaluation maintenance model
People who are constrained to make esteem-damaging upward comparisons can underplay or deny similarity to the target, or can withdraw from their relationship to the target
BIRGing (Basking in Reflected Glory)
The name dropping to link yourself with desirable people or groups and improve other peoples impression of you
Social identity
Part of self concept that derives from our membership in social groups
Personal identity
Self defined in terms of unique personal attributes or unique interpersonal relationships
Actor-observer effect
Tendency to attribute our own behaviours externally and others behaviours internally
Social identity theory
Theory of group membership and intergroup relations based on self categorisation, social comparison and the construction of a self definition in terms of ingroup defining properties
Self categorisation theory
Theory of how the process of categorising oneself as a group member produces social identity and group and intergroup behaviours
Prototype
Cognitive representation of the typical or defining features of a category
Meta-contrast principle
prototype of a group is that position within the group that has the largest ratio of differences to ingroup positions to differences to outgroup positions
Self-assessment
The motivation to seek out new information about ourselves in order to find out what sort of person we really are
Self-verification
Seeking out new information that verifies and confirms what we already know about ourselves
Self enhancement
The motivation to develop and promote a favourable image of self
Self affirmation theory
Theory that people reduce the impact of threat to their self concept by focusing on and affirming their competence in some other area
Self handicapping
Publicly making advance external attributions for our anticipated failure or poor performance in a forthcoming event
Stigma
Group attributes that mediate a negative social evaluation of people belonging to the group
