Week 3 Flashcards
(18 cards)
What makes human beings different from other forms of life?
Ability to think in abstract/symbolic terms, self-consciousness, freedom from reactivity
Key thinkers include Kierkegaard and Becker.
What is self-esteem?
How we feel about ourselves (negative or positive), how much we like ourselves, how much we value our self-worth
It affects many aspects of our personality.
Why is self-esteem argued to be the most important psychological attribute?
To feel worthy and valued, to feel that actions are righteous and justified
It is considered the fuel that keeps us going.
What characterizes healthy self-esteem?
Less susceptible to social pressure, fewer interpersonal problems, higher happiness and achievement, capable of forming satisfying love relationships
Reference: Baumeister, 1999.
What characterizes poor self-esteem?
More prone to psychological problems (anxiety and depression), physical illness, poor social relationships, under-achievement
Reference: Brown, 1998.
How does self-esteem change over a lifetime?
Highest in childhood, dips in adolescence, rises in middle adulthood, declines in late adulthood
Most decline occurs between 70’s and 80’s.
What is attachment?
The emotional connection from infant to parent, from which the child derives security
Key concept in understanding early human relationships.
Who are the key figures associated with attachment theory?
John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth
They emphasized the genetic characteristics of forming attachment relationships.
What is the trust versus mistrust stage?
A period during which the infant learns to trust the world through consistent, warm care
If care is inconsistent or harsh, the child may become cynical.
What did Harry Harlow’s study with rhesus monkeys demonstrate?
Contact comfort is more important than providing nourishment
Infants preferred the soft terry cloth mother over the bare wire mother.
What is secure attachment?
Infant readily separates from the parent, seeks proximity when stressed, uses parent as a safe base for exploration
Associated with higher self-esteem and sociability.
What is insecure attachment?
Infant does not know how to relate to mother, unable to be soothed, confused about how to act
Associated with lower self-esteem and difficulty in relationships.
What are the key functions of attachments for humans?
- Close proximity with others is necessary for survival
- Required for healthy physical and psychological development
- Soothe us and meet our needs, conveying worthiness and value
Attachments are crucial for brain growth.
How does self-esteem acquire its anxiety-buffering quality?
When we follow parents’ demands, we maintain their love and learn cultural beliefs
This process reinforces positive self-esteem.
What is narcissism?
Excessive interest in oneself
Becker states narcissism is inseparable from self-esteem.
What are the stages of narcissism development according to Freud?
- Primary narcissism (oral stage)
- Anal stage
Each stage involves different aspects of self-control and mastery.
How does culture influence self-esteem?
Shift from parental value to cultural value for self-worth
Fulfilling cultural standards helps stave off the fear of death.
What was the purpose of Milgram’s experiment?
To understand the horrors of the Holocaust and test obedience to authority
The experiment examined how far ordinary citizens would go in obeying harmful orders.
