Psychology of Self-Esteem and Biases

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the sociometer hypothesis primarily concerned with?

The relationship between self-esteem and academic performance

The evaluation of self-worth based on achievements

The impact of social acceptance on self-esteem (correct)

The role of personality traits in shaping self-concept

Which statement best describes the concept of self-enhancing attributions?

Recognizing personal shortcomings to improve self-awareness

Avoiding social situations to protect self-worth

Focusing solely on failures to build resilience

Attributing failures to external factors to maintain positive self-esteem (correct)

What does William James' formula for self-esteem indicate?

Self-esteem is constant regardless of failures

Self-esteem results from the ratio of successes to pretensions (correct)

Self-esteem is fundamentally linked to social media presence

Self-esteem declines with every social rejection

Which factor is considered a powerful signal of low self-esteem according to the sociometer hypothesis?

Social isolation or rejection Signup and view all the answers

How does academic success impact self-esteem according to the content?

It improves confidence and self-esteem Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential dark side of high self-esteem?

It can lead to inflated self-views and arrogance Signup and view all the answers

The phrase "I'm a loveable person" in Wood et al.'s study is an example of what type of intervention?

Self-affirmation practice Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of self-esteem does the self-serving bias reflect?

The tendency to avoid responsibility for mistakes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the self-serving bias in the context of self-esteem?

To enhance self-esteem by taking credit for successes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a potential negative consequence of high self-esteem?

Increased feelings of aggression and unfriendliness. Signup and view all the answers

How does self-enhancement relate to self-knowledge?

It often distorts self-perception by promoting positive illusions. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Sociometer Hypothesis, self-esteem serves as a gauge for what aspect of social behavior?

Potential rejection or acceptance by others. Signup and view all the answers

What is one assumption made by Taylor and Brown regarding the role of positive illusions in self-knowledge?

They are linked to better overall adjustment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary criticism of high self-esteem according to the findings of Heatherton & Vohs (2000)?

High self-esteem may lead to narcissism and aggressive behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following effects does self-serving bias have on the way individuals handle failure?

It results in attributing blame to external factors. Signup and view all the answers

What implication does the social self have for group dynamics?

It fosters group cohesion and cooperation. Signup and view all the answers

What does the social comparison process primarily involve?

Comparing our abilities or traits with those of others Signup and view all the answers

Engaging in downward social comparisons typically results in which of the following?

A boost in self-esteem and feelings of satisfaction Signup and view all the answers

How does social identity theory suggest individuals perceive out-group members?

As similar to other out-group members Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following experiments studies showed the limits of self-knowledge?

Milgram's obedience studies Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon describes the tendency for individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors while blaming external factors for their failures?

Self-serving bias Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential negative effect of excessively high self-esteem?

Greater likelihood of risk-taking behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor in the accuracy of self-knowledge according to research?

Biological predispositions that dictate behavior Signup and view all the answers

How do others' perceptions of an individual often compare to that individual's self-perception?

Others generally have a better understanding of the individual's emotions Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Self-Serving Bias and Self-Enhancement

We take credit for success and blame others for failure.
This is one of the most potent biases.
E.g. exam success vs failure.
We see ourselves as better than average.
We perceive ourselves as safer drivers, more ethical, live longer, more intelligent, better job performance, greater future wealth, etc.

The “Dark Side” of Self-Esteem

Heatherton & Vohs (2000) - found increased rudeness, arrogance, and unfriendliness in those high in SE when threatened.

Self-concept: knowledge about ourselves
Self-esteem: how we feel about ourselves
Self-esteem is an overall positive or negative evaluation of oneself.
We are motivated to enhance our self-esteem, which can lead to self-enhancing attributions for failure.
Average self-esteem is above the midpoint in every country.

Sociometer Hypothesis (Leary et al. 1995)

Self-esteem is a readout of how accepted or rejected we are.
Low self-esteem signals a need to repair relationships.
High self-esteem is adaptive because acceptance by the group is critical for survival.

Success and Failure

Actual successful performance improves confidence and self-esteem (e.g., academic success).
William James: Self-esteem = successes/pretensions
Repeating "I'm a loveable person" can improve mood.

We evaluate ourselves against others (e.g., wealth, intelligence).
We tend to compare ourselves to people near our level.
Downward comparison: feel better, boost self-esteem (schadenfreude).
Upward comparison: feel worse, lower self-esteem, but can motivate improvement.
Social identity: we identify with groups (e.g., religion, race).
We see out-group members as similar, and favor our in-group.
Self-stereotyping: embracing aspects perceived to be associated with our group.

Accuracy of Self-Knowledge

Our self-knowledge is built through experience.
We are often poor at explaining our behavior (e.g., life satisfaction).
Misattribution of fear arousal to attractive girl on a stable bridge.
We are often poor at predicting our behavior (e.g., Milgram's obedience studies, Darley & Latane's bystander effect, Asch's conformity experiments).
Relationship longevity is often overestimated.
Others may be more accurate about us than we are ourselves.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the concepts of self-serving bias, self-enhancement, and the intricate relationship between self-esteem and social acceptance. This quiz will cover findings by Heatherton & Vohs as well as the Sociometer Hypothesis by Leary et al., revealing the impacts on behavior and self-perception. Test your understanding of how self-esteem varies across cultures and its implications.