Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the sociometer hypothesis primarily concerned with?
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?
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?
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?
Which factor is considered a powerful signal of low self-esteem according to the sociometer hypothesis?
How does academic success impact self-esteem according to the content?
How does academic success impact self-esteem according to the content?
What is a potential dark side of high self-esteem?
What is a potential dark side of high self-esteem?
The phrase "I'm a loveable person" in Wood et al.'s study is an example of what type of intervention?
The phrase "I'm a loveable person" in Wood et al.'s study is an example of what type of intervention?
What aspect of self-esteem does the self-serving bias reflect?
What aspect of self-esteem does the self-serving bias reflect?
What is the primary function of the self-serving bias in the context of self-esteem?
What is the primary function of the self-serving bias in the context of self-esteem?
Which of the following describes a potential negative consequence of high self-esteem?
Which of the following describes a potential negative consequence of high self-esteem?
How does self-enhancement relate to self-knowledge?
How does self-enhancement relate to self-knowledge?
According to the Sociometer Hypothesis, self-esteem serves as a gauge for what aspect of social behavior?
According to the Sociometer Hypothesis, self-esteem serves as a gauge for what aspect of social behavior?
What is one assumption made by Taylor and Brown regarding the role of positive illusions in self-knowledge?
What is one assumption made by Taylor and Brown regarding the role of positive illusions in self-knowledge?
What is the primary criticism of high self-esteem according to the findings of Heatherton & Vohs (2000)?
What is the primary criticism of high self-esteem according to the findings of Heatherton & Vohs (2000)?
Which of the following effects does self-serving bias have on the way individuals handle failure?
Which of the following effects does self-serving bias have on the way individuals handle failure?
What implication does the social self have for group dynamics?
What implication does the social self have for group dynamics?
What does the social comparison process primarily involve?
What does the social comparison process primarily involve?
Engaging in downward social comparisons typically results in which of the following?
Engaging in downward social comparisons typically results in which of the following?
How does social identity theory suggest individuals perceive out-group members?
How does social identity theory suggest individuals perceive out-group members?
Which of the following experiments studies showed the limits of self-knowledge?
Which of the following experiments studies showed the limits of self-knowledge?
What phenomenon describes the tendency for individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors while blaming external factors for their failures?
What phenomenon describes the tendency for individuals to attribute their successes to internal factors while blaming external factors for their failures?
What is a potential negative effect of excessively high self-esteem?
What is a potential negative effect of excessively high self-esteem?
Which of the following is NOT a factor in the accuracy of self-knowledge according to research?
Which of the following is NOT a factor in the accuracy of self-knowledge according to research?
How do others' perceptions of an individual often compare to that individual's self-perception?
How do others' perceptions of an individual often compare to that individual's self-perception?
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.
Social Self-Esteem
- 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.
Social Comparison and Group Membership
- 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.
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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.
