SOCIAL Self + Identity Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is the Self?
Self is symbolic construct reflecting consciousness of own identity and awareness we exist as being, separate from other beings.
What do Brewer and Gardener detail as 3 forms of self + identity?
-Collective self: attributes with in group members and distinct from outgroup members.
-Individual self: attributes make us unique relative to other people.
-Relational self: relationships person has with specific other people.
What is the self?
-Fazio et al found ppt described themselves in very different ways when asking loaded questions that made search through self-knowledge for information presented the self in different lights.
-experience different selves depending on situational factors but also feel have coherent self-concept that integrates all selves together.
What is self-awareness?
State in which people aware of traits, feelings and behaviour.
-put red spot on babies nose, put them in front of mirror. 9-12 month olds treat mirror images as another child, showing no interest in spot on nose.
-18 months old recognise child in reflection is them.
What is the difference between private + self-awareness?
-public self-awareness (I know others are aware of me). -> evoked when giving presentation + being photographed or filmed.
-private self-awareness (I’m aware of me)-> evoked when looking in mirror, experiencing physiological arousal.
=each have different self-awareness.
What is the consequence of private self-awareness?
1.Intensified emotional response: focusing on self makes us focus on state of mind, intensifying emotions. When ppt asked to read emotional statements had more extreme emotional response when looking in mirror.
2.Clarification of knowledge: focus on internal events means can report with greater accuracy. Given drug or placebo told it would increase arousal, looking in mirror or not. Mirror induced self-awareness meant felt less aroused cause could focus on feelings leading to more accurate knowledge.
3. Adherence to personal standards of behaviour. True beliefs become emphasised + less susceptible to external forces. Had to write essay going against attitudes/ beliefs whilst looking in mirror or not. Induces cognitive dissonance- discomfort person feels when behaviour doesn’t align with values of beliefs. Writing essay in front of mirror-> less attitude changes. Private self-awareness may increase adherence to one’s true beliefs.
What is the consequence of public self-awareness?
- Evaluation of apprehension: public self-awareness makes us realise we are being observed by others. Fear of negative evaluation-> nervousness and reduced self-esteem. Larger audience increases anxiety during public speaking.
- Adherence to social standards of behaviour: more like to conform to group norms even if goes against personal opinions Bateson et al (2006). Examined effect of image of pair of eyes on contribution to honestly box to collect money for drinks in university coffee room. People paid x3 as much for drinks when looking at eyes compared to control images.
What is self-consciousness?
Individual differences in chronic self-awareness called self-consciousness.
Intent to which individual chronically aware of traits feelings + behaviours.
What is self-concept?
Complete set of beliefs that people have about themselves, forms their understanding of who they are.
What is a self-schema?
How we expect ourselves to think, feel and behave in certain situation.
Consists of:
=perception of ourselves e.g. ‘I am talkative’.
=experience on this dimension:’ i know that i am likely to be talkative at party’.
=we each hold complex self-concept made up of number of discrete self-schemas.
-having complex + varied self-schemas is beneficial.
How are some self-schemas better than others?
Schemas vary in importance to the self.
-Self-schematic: traits that are more highly important aspects of the self.
-Somewhat schematic: traits that describe self to some extent.
-Aschematic: traits which are irrelevant to the self.
=if self-schematic on particular self-schema means highly embedded in self- concept.
Why are multiple self-schemas important for our psychological well-being?
-buffer against impacts of negative self-schemas, with more positive self-schemas (Linville, 1985).
-expands opportunities for social interaction, pleasure and personal growth (Multiple Role Theory, Powel & Greenhouse, 2010).
-multiple schema conflicts can arise between self-schemas leading to distress (Meyer, 2003). E.g. self-schema of being a world leading athlete and mother.
Outline the self-discrepancy theory for theories of self-comparison?
Higgins, 1987.
The self consists of: actual self-how we are at present. Ideal self-how we would like to be. Ought self- how we think we should be. Individuals compare their ‘actual’ self to internalised standards of the ideal and ought self.
-We are motivated to ensure match between actual, ideal and ought self (Higgins, 1987).
Discrepancies leads to psychological discomfort. Higgins et al (1987) ppt have to report on emotions after thinking about discrepancies.
-> actual-ideal discrepancy related to dejection.
-> actual-ought discrepancy related to agitation.
Detail Altintas et al (2020) investigation into effects of ‘Best Possible Self’ intervention?
Investigates effects of ‘Best Possible Self’ intervention on academic motivation and commitment at Uni.
176 French undergrads:
-Experimental group- think of best possible ideal self.
-Control group- read neutral information.
Those in experimental group had significantly higher level of positive affect, motivations, and academic commitment compared to control group.
Discrepancies can have positive effects and motivate people to do better.
Outline Social comparison theory as a theory of social comparison?
Festinger, 1954. Learn how to define ourselves by comparing ourselves to others. Make two different sorts of comparisons.
-upwards comparisons (someone better), hope, inspiration, dissatisfaction, envy.
-downward comparisons (someone worse), gratitude or scorn.
Accurate representation of self (e.g. academic abilities)-> comparisons in both directions would be most informative.
Detail Klein’s study into social comparison theory?
Methods: ppt asked to select aesthetically superior picture.
-Then given feedback about their performance:
-absolute (40%-60% correct response).
-relative to other people (20% better or worse than average).
-given choice of two tasks: game of skill or game of luck to win money.
What is the social identity theory of theories of group comparisons?
Tajfel & Turner (1986): Social identity comes from knowledge of membership of social groups (or groups) together with value and emotional significance of that membership.
-Multiple social identities- helps prevent negative psychological outcomes + promote health, provides more ways for person to self-protect (Benish- Weisman et al), linked to lower depression.
People active at given time are ones suited to social context> context dependent.
-social world perceived as socially constructed categories. Belong to some categories not others. Discriminate between those categories in ways beneficial to our self-esteem + identity. If want positive self- esteem from social comparisons need to be to group of lower status. Motivated to display ingroup favouritism as can increase our self-esteem.
What is bystander helping behaviour?
Levine et al (2005):
recruited manchester united fans.
Ppt take short walk and witness an accident. Group membership manipulated (confederate either wearing Manchester United, Liverpool FC or plain top).
Measured rate of helping confederate.
-more likely to help if person in Man United top than in plain top or LFC top.
Detail independence theories?
Studies looking at role of other and how they ‘shape’; who we are or would like to become (ideal self).
-Ideal self: ‘describes individual dreams and aspirations, or constellations of skills, traits and resources than an individual want to acquire’ (Rusbult et al, 2009).
Outline The Michelangelo Phenomenon as an independence study?
Michelangelo Phenomenon- how significantly others shape our pursuit of ideal self.
Partner= sculptor and ideal self= sculpted.
Partner affirmation has two components:
=partner perceptual affirmation: perceive target in ways compatible with targets ideal self.
=partner behavioural affirmation: behave in ways to elicit behaviours that are consistent with target’s ideal self.
All mean a movement towards the ideal self= enhanced personal/ couple wellbeing.
Detail supporting evidence for Michelangelo’s Phenomenon?
-Rusbult et al (2009) found partner affirmation of each other’s ideal goals is related to personal growth and movement towards ideal self and partner well-being.
-Drigotas: strong association between perceived partner affirmation and movements to ideal self. When partner is affirming + person moves closer to ideals, this leads to improved personal wellbeing, life satisfaction, and psychological health.
Evaluate components of self-concept?
Aperson’s subjective appraisal of themselves as intrinsically positive or negative to some degree.
-high self esteem: confidence, feeling loved and respected, resilience, less easily influenced.
-low self esteem: low confidence, unsure about value to others, easily disheartened, more easily persuaded.
How does self-esteem develop?
Later self esteem depends on parenting styles.
=Authoritative: enforce rules, disciplining, but also responsive, supporting and warm. High self-esteem.
=Authoritarian: overly strict and demanding enforce punishments, unresponsive to children’s needs. Low self-esteem.
=Permissive: Responsive but too relaxed (‘friend’), no restrictions/ boundaries. Low self-esteem.
Detail the stability of self-esteem?
Robins et al (2002): meta-analysis of 50 studies found tendencies to have higher or low self-esteem can vary- there were differentially stable and unstable time points.
-9-18= fairly unstable self-esteem, cause of adolescence and self-concept still developing.
-greatest stability found in people + in late 20s-40s mid adulthood.
-60s, self-esteem stability declines, perhaps due to later life changes (retirement, loss).
