Psychology of Self-Awareness and Introspection

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Questions and Answers

What effect does exceeding your own expectations have on personal standards?

Standards continue to raise (correct)

Standards remain the same

Expectations become irrelevant

Standards are lowered

How does self-awareness influence cheating behavior, according to the study by Diener & Wallbom?

It increases the likelihood of cheating

It leads to greater disregard for internal values

It decreases the likelihood of cheating (correct)

It has no effect on cheating

In Sohn et al. (2019), which behavior is associated with higher levels of introspection on social media?

Reduced likelihood of posting abusive comments (correct)

Increased adherence to negative social norms

Greater willingness to troll others

Increased tendency to participate in online bullying

According to Self-Perception Theory, how do individuals infer their feelings?

Through their body's reactions and behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion can be drawn from Nisbett & Wilson's study on pantyhose selection?

People are not good at identifying the reasons behind their thoughts or feelings Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about low self-awareness individuals in relation to cheating?

They are more likely to cheat Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between social norms and behavior in individuals with less introspection?

They are more likely to engage in negative behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What process happens when someone is asked to define who they are according to introspection?

They check their internal beliefs and observe their behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is introspection primarily concerned with?

Looking inward to examine thoughts and feelings Signup and view all the answers

What did the study by Csikszentmihalyi & Figurski (1982) find regarding self-thoughts?

Voluntary activities lead to lower affect when self-reflecting Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential limitation of the research methodology used in the study by Csikszentmihalyi & Figurski?

Certain participants may be more willing to participate than others Signup and view all the answers

According to the Self-Awareness Theory, what usually happens when we evaluate ourselves against internal standards?

We often experience guilt or negative affect Signup and view all the answers

How can self-awareness positively influence feelings according to the Self-Awareness Theory?

By meeting and exceeding internal standards temporarily Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the ways to know oneself mentioned in the content?

Looking inward Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential outcome of feeling that one cannot perform better after success?

A negative affect about future performance Signup and view all the answers

What can happen when individuals compare themselves to others, according to the Self-Awareness Theory?

They may experience negative self-evaluation Signup and view all the answers

What did Dutton and Aron (1974) demonstrate about physiological arousal?

Physiological signs can influence interpersonal attraction. Signup and view all the answers

How does a calmer voice impact conflict according to Costa et al. (2018)?

It helps lower heart rate and promotes calmness. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines social comparison?

Thinking about information about oneself in relation to others. Signup and view all the answers

When do individuals typically engage in social comparison?

When they lack objective standards for self-evaluation. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason people might compare themselves to others?

To learn about their own abilities and attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

What type of social comparison involves comparing oneself to someone who is doing better?

Upward comparison Signup and view all the answers

What strategy can be used to reduce the threat to self-evaluation when comparing oneself to a friend?

Sabotaging the friend's performance Signup and view all the answers

What did Tesser and Smith (1980) find regarding how participants interacted with friends versus strangers in a high-importance task?

They gave more difficult clues to friends than to strangers Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a common misconception about physiological reactions?

They are exclusively understood as signs of fear. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does a calm voice have on a person's heart rate, according to Costa et al. (2018)?

It lowers heart rate and promotes calmness. Signup and view all the answers

According to Nicholls & Stukas (2011), how does narcissism influence relationships with friends in a competitive context?

Narcissists tend to seek out friends who they can beat Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary emotional reaction when a person is outperformed by a friend in an area they care about?

Disappointment Signup and view all the answers

What effect does social loafing have on group dynamics?

It reduces the quality of group performance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of downward social comparison?

It restores self-esteem by making comparisons with those worse off. Signup and view all the answers

Which motive for social comparison involves seeking improvement?

Self-improvement Signup and view all the answers

How do individuals typically react to upward social comparisons when they believe they can improve?

They perform better and engage in more self-improvement behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a negative effect of upward social comparisons?

Experiencing envy towards others' success. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of culture can influence motivation for social comparison?

Cultural values Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes upward comparison construal theory?

Identifying with individuals who are doing better. Signup and view all the answers

What can be a result of downward social comparison for individuals with low self-esteem?

A boost in self-evaluation. Signup and view all the answers

What type of social comparison is primarily motivated by altruism?

Common bond Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Week 4: Introspection and Self-Awareness

Introspection involves examining internal thoughts, feelings, and motives.
Studies show introspection is infrequent.
Study 1 (Csikszentmihalyi & Figurski, 1982) found lower emotional affect when people thought about themselves.
Voluntary activities like watching TV correlate with negative self-affect.
Introspection research can provide accurate, real-time reports on feelings and behaviours, unlike retrospective assessments.

Self-Awareness Theory of Introspection

Self-awareness involves evaluating the self against internal standards and values.
This process often leads to negative emotions like guilt.
Self-awareness can be positive when exceeding internal standards, but this positive feeling is temporary.
Positive self-evaluation can be followed by a negative impact when standards are raised.
Self-awareness promotes alignment with personal values and ideals.

Diener & Wallbom (1976): Introspection and Cheating

Participants with mirrors were less likely to cheat on a timed test.
Self-awareness, facilitated by a mirror, reduces cheating behaviour.

SOHN et al. (2019): Introspection and Facebook Bullying

Introspection (seeing one's face during a video call) reduces the likelihood of writing abusive comments on Facebook.
Social norms have less impact on behaviour with greater introspection.
Introspection reduces online bullying behaviours.

Self-Perception Theory (Observing Our Own Behaviour)

People infer their attitudes and feelings by observing their own behaviour.
Body reactions and behaviours indicate emotions.
People are often unaware of factors influencing feelings or behaviours.

Nisbett & Wilson (1977): Introspection and Choices

People struggle to explain their choices and behaviours.
We don't always know why we think or act the way we do or have the feelings we have

Dutton & Aron (1974): Misattribution of Arousal

People misinterpret arousal which can lead to attraction.
Feelings of arousal (like fear) can be mistakenly attributed to attraction.

Costa et al. (2018): Skype Relationships and Voice Tone

People act calmer when their voice sounds calmer.
Calmer communication impacts overall interactions.

Social comparison involves gauging the self against others.
People often compare across abilities, opinions, circumstances, jobs, or personal characteristics.
This process influences self-perceptions and behaviours.

When do people compare themselves to others?
Who do people compare themselves to?
Why do people compare themselves to others?
What's the impact of social comparison?

Involves comparing oneself to others who are worse off, bettering self-esteem.

Involves comparing oneself to those performing better which can motivate self-improvement.
Leads to self-improvement and increased self-esteem.

Gerber et al (2018): Contrast and Assimilation

Comparing to others can have both positive and negative consequences.
Upward comparison fosters inspiration and hope.
Downward comparison promotes feelings of gratitude.
Comparing negatively can lead to envy or regret.

Song et al (2019): Culture and Motivation

Cultural differences influence motivations for social comparison.

Johnson (2012): Threats to Self-Esteem

Positive comparison can boost self-improvement and positive behaviours.
Negative comparison can lead to harmful behaviours in the form of attempts to sabotage the achievements of others - this is in response to negative threats.

Self-Evaluation Maintenance Theory

Our response to another person's success depends on closeness and perceived importance of the performance task.
Important tasks trigger negative responses and actions are taken to reduce threats to self-evaluation.
Reducing closeness or altering the aspect of comparison reduces threat.

Tesser & Smith (1980): Good Friend Experiment

In situations of high importance, threats to self-evaluation lead to sabotage of the friend's performance.
Sabotage of others, in comparison, is more likely in situations where there is great concern about self image (Tesser & Smith, 1980).

Nicholls & Stukas (2011): Narcissism and Closeness

Narcissists are more likely to diminish closeness with friends who outperform them.

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Description

Explore the fascinating realm of self-awareness and its effects on behavior through various studies. This quiz covers key theories, including Self-Perception Theory and Self-Awareness Theory, and examines the relationship between introspection and social behavior, along with implications for personal standards. Test your knowledge on significant findings from psychological research.