What is the self concept?
Knowledge about the self; schema about the self
Influenced by age or culture.
How does culture influence the self concept?
- Individualistic cultures: independent self concept
- Collectivist cultures: interdependent self concept
Collectivist cultures tend to have more interdependent self concepts.
What does social identity theory state?
Define and evaluate self based on social group membership
In-group: your group; out-group: others.
What is selective valuing in the context of self concept?
Selecting certain traits that group possesses but not others
Helps maintain a more positive self concept.
What is basking in reflected glory?
Prioritize group membership when they perform well
A strategy to enhance self evaluation.
How can the self concept be described as contextual?
Different identities become salient in different situations
Selves can be inconsistent across contexts.
What are reflected appraisals?
What we think others think about us
Can be overt (praises) or unintentional (laughter).
True or false: Reflected appraisals are always consistent with how we see ourselves.
FALSE
Based on perception, leading to inconsistencies.
What is the purpose of social comparison?
To learn about ourselves
Shapes perception, memories, and behaviors.
What is downward social comparison?
Looking at people who are doing worse to feel better
Leads to temporary feelings of gratitude.
What is upward social comparison?
Comparing self with those who are better
Can lead to feelings of hope and inspiration.
What is the frog pond effect?
Feeling more confident in a small group than in a large, competitive one
Self-image changes based on environment.
What does the Dunning-Kruger effect describe?
Unskilled people overestimate their abilities
Overconfidence shadows their ability to recognize their lack of skills.
What are the two stages of the dual process theory of social comparison?
- Make comparison regardless of relevance
- Correct based on relevance if aware, able, motivated
Suggests immediate comparisons are often made.
What is the better than average effect?
Tendency to rank yourself higher than most people on positive attributes
Most people believe they are better than average drivers.
What is self perception?
Inferring attitudes and attributes by observing own behavior
Relies on psychological arousal.
What is self regulation?
Process for guiding thoughts, feelings, and actions to reach desired goals
Involves self control.
What is the difference between self awareness and self regulation?
- Self awareness: focus on self or situation
- Self regulation: pursuing goals
Ought self vs. ideal self.
What are some challenges to self regulation?
- Temporal discounting
- Hot vs. cold processes
- Implementation intention
Specificity of cues can improve responses.
