Psychology Chapter: Social Comparison Theory
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Questions and Answers

What does social comparison theory primarily propose?

  • People avoid comparing themselves to others.
  • Individuals compare themselves to assess their abilities and opinions. (correct)
  • Self-concepts are solely based on negative self-beliefs.
  • Only positive comparisons affect self-esteem.

    • Individuals only engage in social comparison to accurately assess their abilities.

    False

    What is a reference group?

    A set of people against whom individuals compare themselves.

    According to the Mr Clean/Mr Dirty study, subjects who met a neatly dressed competitor may have experienced a decrease in their __________.

    <p>self-esteem</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following scenarios with their corresponding reference group:

    <p>Comparing test scores with classmates = Classmates Trying to improve tennis skills = Superior players Boosting self-esteem through comparison = Worse-off individuals Assessing work performance against peers = Colleagues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which motive was found to be the strongest in influencing people's behavior?

    <p>Self-enhancement motive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Self-efficacy is only related to the skills one possesses and not to beliefs about those skills.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term describes the process of directing and controlling one's behavior?

    <p>self-regulation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Self-efficacy affects individuals' commitments to goals, their performance, and their _____ toward obstacles.

    <p>persistence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms to their definitions:

    <p>Self-regulation = Controlling one's behavior Self-efficacy = Belief in one's ability to achieve goals Self-defeating behavior = Failure in self-control Delay of gratification = Postponing immediate rewards for future benefits</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does self-efficacy affect one's approach to academic success?

    <p>Higher self-efficacy is associated with more positive academic outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Self-regulation develops only during adolescence and not in early childhood.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What factor primarily contributes to the difference in self-esteem scores between males and females?

    <p>Societal messages that support esteem building in girls</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Males are always likely to report lower self-esteem compared to females.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two cognitive states described by Ellen Langer?

    <p>mindlessness and mindfulness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    People often rely on ______ processing to conserve cognitive resources.

    <p>automatic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following groups with their characteristics related to self-esteem:

    <p>Females = Tend to have lower self-esteem due to few supportive messages Males = Generally score higher on self-esteem tests Adolescents aged 15-18 = Show the largest differences in self-esteem scores Cognitive misers = Process information using shortcuts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is self-verification theory primarily concerned with?

    <p>Receiving feedback consistent with self-views</p> Signup and view all the answers

    People with low self-esteem are more prone to self-enhancement than those with high self-esteem.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the tendency to enhance one's image by joining successful individuals called?

    <p>Basking in reflected glory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Self-handicapping is the tendency to sabotage one's performance to provide an excuse for __________.

    <p>possible failure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following self-enhancement methods with their definitions:

    <p>Self-Handicapping = Sabotaging performance to create an excuse for failure Basking in Reflected Glory = Enhancing self-image by associating with successful individuals Downward Comparisons = Enhancing self-esteem by comparing with those deemed worse off Self Striving = Motivating oneself to achieve personal goals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which cultural orientation shows a stronger tendency for self-enhancement?

    <p>Western cultures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Individuals are motivated by accuracy, consistency, and self-enhancement in self-evaluations.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one common evidence of self-enhancement.

    <p>Individuals exaggerating their control over life events</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    The Self and its Development

    • Carl Rogers described personality as a single construct, the self-concept.
    • The self-concept is a collection of beliefs about one's nature, qualities, and behaviors.
    • It's a mental picture of oneself, encompassing self-perceptions like "easy-going," "intelligent," or "hardworking."
    • The self-concept is a multifaceted structure, organized into self-schemas.
    • Self-schemas are beliefs developed from past experiences, encompassing personality traits, abilities, physical features, values, goals, and social roles.
    • These schemas are based on dimensions like strengths and weaknesses, important to the individual.

    Hazel Markus and the Working Self-Concept

    • Contemporary psychologists argue that only a portion of the self-concept is accessible at any given time.
    • This accessible portion is called the "working self-concept."
    • Self-schemas influence how individuals process information about themselves; thoughts and feelings associated with a specific self-schema strongly affect how information is interpreted.

    Possible Selves

    • Markus introduces "possible selves," representing conceptions of the future self.
    • Possible selves are shaped by past experiences, current behavior, and future expectations, and motivate individuals to pursue their goals.

    Self-Discrepancy Theory (Higgins)

    • Individuals have multiple self-perceptions: actual self (qualities believed true), ideal self (desired qualities), and ought self (qualities believed necessary).
    • Discrepancy between these perceptions can cause emotional reactions.
    • Actual versus ideal self discrepancies evoke dejected feelings (sadness, disappointment).

    Self-Discrepancies and Their Effects

    • When people adhere to their ideal or ought selves, self-esteem is high.
    • Discrepancies between actual and ideal selves correlate with dissatisfaction and dejection.
    • Discrepancies do not always result in predicted emotions; their impact depends on their magnitude, awareness, and importance.

    Coping with Self-Discrepancy

    • People might change behavior to match their desired self-image.
    • Self-awareness can be blunted to lessen emotional distress (e.g., alcohol use).

    Factors Shaping Self-Concept

    • Self-evaluations are influenced by observations, feedback, and cultural perspectives.
    • Individuals assess their abilities and opinions by comparing themselves to others in their reference groups.

    Subjectivity

    • People tend to view themselves favorably.
    • There is a general tendency to overrate competence and underestimate flaws in self-assessments.

    Feedback from Others

    • Self-concept is significantly shaped by feedback from others.
    • Parents and other family members have a large influence early in life.
    • Feedback filters through social perception systems, which can distort self-perceptions.

    Cultural Values

    • Cultural values shape self-concepts, defining desirable and undesirable traits.

    Ethnicity and Self-Esteem

    • Minority group members develop strategies to manage self-esteem when faced with prejudice.

    Gender and Self-Esteem

    • Differences in self-esteem between genders are complex and debated.

    Basic Principles of Self-Perception: Cognitive Processes

    • People process a vast amount of information daily using cognitive shortcuts.
    • Cognitive resources are limited, so people use automatic processing to conserve these resources.

    Self-Attributions

    • Self-attributions are inferences regarding the causes of one's behaviors.
    • Internal attributions ascribe causes to personal factors, while external attributions ascribe causes to situational factors.
    • Attributional style, a tendency to use similar causal explanations in various situations.
    • Internal versus external attributions and the stability of the cause can affect emotional states (like depression).

    Controllability

    • Controllability of behavior, whether internal or external, impacts how individuals perceive their actions and react to consequences.

    Attributional Style

    • Attributional style describes consistent use of different causal explanations for events.
    • Optimistic styles attribute setbacks to external factors and unstable circumstances; pessimistic styles relate setbacks to internal and stable causes.

    Self-Regulation

    • Self-regulation is the process of directing and controlling behavior and thoughts.
    • Self-efficacy, one's belief in one's capacity to achieve specific goals, is a key aspect of self-regulation.

    Self-Presentation

    • Self-presentation involves how a person wants others to perceive them; it's a dynamic process that adjusts to various social situations with conscious or unconscious attempts.
    • Impression management is associated with various tactics to form positive impressions on others like ingratiation, self-promotion, exemplification, and intimidation.

    Self-Striving

    • People strive to present themselves positively. This involves interpreting and adapting behavior to produce a desirable image.

    Self-Enhancement

    • Self-enhancement involves maintaining positive feelings about the self.
    • It involves seeking positive feedback.

    Self-Monitoring

    • Self-monitoring is the degree to which individuals are aware of how they are perceived by others.
    • High self-monitors are more sensitive to their impact on others and try to adjust behaviors accordingly.
    • Low self-monitors are less concerned with others' perceptions and behave more spontaneously.

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    The Self and Its Development PDF

    Description

    Explore key concepts from social comparison theory and self-efficacy in this engaging quiz. Test your understanding of reference groups, self-regulation, and the influences on individual behavior. Perfect for students looking to deepen their knowledge of psychological theories and their applications.

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