Psychology: Social Perceptions and Self-Awareness

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Questions and Answers

What does the spotlight effect refer to?

The belief that others are paying more attention to our appearance and behavior than they really are. (correct)

The idea that our emotions can be easily concealed.

The tendency to focus more on others than on ourselves.

The belief that people see us as we truly are.

How does social surroundings influence self-awareness?

It has no significant impact on self-awareness.

It makes us more confident in our identities.

It causes us to be oblivious to our differences.

It heightens our awareness of how we differ when we are in a minority. (correct)

What is the illusion of transparency?

The tendency to exaggerate our emotional responses in social settings.

The idea that we can control others' perceptions of us.

The belief that our confidence is visible to others.

The belief that our concealed emotions can be easily understood by others. (correct)

In the context of self-concern, which behavior is most likely influenced?

Making a positive impression in social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

How do social relationships impact our sense of self?

They help create varied selves depending on the context. Signup and view all the answers

What does self-concept encompass?

What we know and believe about ourselves. Signup and view all the answers

What psychological effect can occur after a breakup according to the content?

Less certainty about who we are. Signup and view all the answers

What enables long-term planning and goal setting according to the provided information?

Our sense of self. Signup and view all the answers

How is individuality perceived in collectivistic cultures?

As a detriment that disrupts harmony. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the interdependent self?

It consists of multiple selves tied to different relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What does the planning fallacy refer to?

The tendency to underestimate time needed to complete tasks. Signup and view all the answers

What does impact bias result in?

Overestimating the durability of emotional responses. Signup and view all the answers

How does culture potentially affect self-views?

It can shape self-views even in short periods. Signup and view all the answers

What does the dual attitude system indicate?

Attitudes can differ between conscious and unconscious levels. Signup and view all the answers

Which group is generally considered more individualistic?

The rich compared to the poor. Signup and view all the answers

What coping mechanism is often underappreciated during emotional distress?

Rationalizing the situation and moving on. Signup and view all the answers

What function does the medial prefrontal cortex primarily serve?

It helps stitch together your sense of self. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of self-schema, how do individuals typically process self-relevant information?

Through established beliefs about themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What does social comparison allow individuals to evaluate?

Their opinions and abilities by comparing themselves with others. Signup and view all the answers

How does social media influence perceptions of happiness among college students?

It creates an illusion of others being happier and having better lives. Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Charles H. Cooley introduce to explain self-perception?

The looking-glass self theory. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes individualism?

It prioritizes one’s own goals over group goals. Signup and view all the answers

What is collectivism focused on?

Prioritizing group goals and defining identity through group affiliations. Signup and view all the answers

What cultural changes are associated with the rise of individualism globally?

Cultural shifts towards affluence, mobility, and mass media. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes implicit attitudes?

They are automatic and influenced by experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about explicit attitudes?

They can be easily changed compared to implicit attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

How do people with high self-esteem typically react to self-esteem threats?

They react by compensating through external blame or trying harder. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the implications of self-reports being untrustworthy?

They limit the scientific usefulness of subjective reports. Signup and view all the answers

Which behavior is commonly exhibited by individuals with low self-esteem when feeling threatened?

They remember and focus on others' negative behaviors. Signup and view all the answers

What emotional response do individuals with low self-esteem often show when confronted with negative feedback?

They tend to sulk or complain for support. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant effect of low self-esteem on personal relationships?

They often cause individuals to misinterpret partner behavior as criticism. Signup and view all the answers

Why might personal testimonies be misleading in understanding self-experience?

Honest interpretations can still lead to incorrect conclusions. Signup and view all the answers

How do low self-esteem individuals typically feel about their relationships?

Less satisfied than those with high self-esteem Signup and view all the answers

What does terror management theory primarily suggest individuals do when reminded of their mortality?

Strengthen their cultural worldviews and prejudices Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes self-efficacy from self-esteem?

Self-efficacy relates to competencies on specific tasks Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the self-serving bias?

Thinking that negative outcomes are due to external factors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best represents defensive pessimism?

Worrying about potential failures to prepare mentally for outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the false consensus effect?

Overestimating the commonality of one's own opinions and behaviors Signup and view all the answers

What is the interaction between narcissism, self-esteem, and aggression based on research?

Both high self-esteem and narcissism are necessary for retaliation Signup and view all the answers

How might parents foster self-esteem in their children according to the provided content?

By affirming their unique qualities Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Spotlight Effect

The belief that others are paying more attention to our appearance and behavior than they really are.
We overestimate the extent to which others’ attention is aimed at us.

Illusion of Transparency

The illusion that our concealed emotions leak out and can be easily read by others.

When we are the only member of our race, gender, or nationality in a group, we notice how we differ and how others are reacting to our differences.

When problems arise in a close relationship, we usually blame our partners instead of ourselves.
When things go well at home or work or play, we see ourselves as more responsible.

We agonize about our appearance in hopes of making a positive impression.
We monitor others’ behavior and expectations and adjust our behavior accordingly.

We have varying selves in our varied relationships.

Self-Concept

What we know and believe about ourselves.
The medial prefrontal cortex, located in the cleft between your brain hemispheres just behind your eyes, seemingly helps stitch together your sense of self.

Self-Schema

Beliefs about self that organize and guide the processing of self-relevant information.

Evaluating one’s opinions and abilities by comparing oneself with others.
Often based on incomplete information, which can lead to inaccurate perceptions of others.

Looking-Glass Self Theory

Charles H.Cooley described our use of how we think others perceive us as a mirror for perceiving ourselves.
George Herbert Mead refined this concept, noting that what matters for our self-concepts is not how others actually see us but the way we imagine they see us.

Individualism

Giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications.

Collectivism

Giving priority to the goals of one’s group and defining one’s identity accordingly.

Independent Self

Construing one’s identity as an autonomous self.

Interdependent Self

The interdependent self is more deeply embedded in others.
Have many selves: self-with-parents, self-at-work, self-with-friends.

Planning Fallacy

The tendency to underestimate how long it will take to complete a task.

Impact Bias

Overestimating the enduring impact of emotion-causing events (can be positive emotions or negative emotions).
We are especially prone to impact bias after negative events.

Dual Attitude System

Differing implicit (automatic/unconscious) and explicit (consciously controlled) attitudes toward the same object.

Self-Esteem

A person’s overall self-evaluation or sense of self-worth.

Self-Serving Bias

The tendency to perceive oneself favorably.

Self-Serving Attributions

A form of self-serving bias; the tendency to attribute positive outcomes to oneself and negative outcomes to other factors.

Defensive Pessimism

The adaptive value of anticipating problems and harnessing one’s anxiety to motivate effective action.

False Consensus Effect

The tendency to overestimate the commonality of one’s opinions and one’s undesirable or unsuccessful behaviors.

Terror Management Theory

Proposes that people exhibit self-protective emotional and cognitive responses (including adhering more strongly to their cultural worldviews and prejudices) when confronted with reminders of their mortality.

Longitudinal Study

Research in which the same people are studied over an extended period of time.

Narcissism

An inflated sense of self.

Self-Efficacy

How competent we feel on a task.

Self-esteem Vs. Self-Efficacy

Self-esteem is one’s sense of self-worth.
A sharpshooter in the military might feel high self-efficacy and low self-esteem.
Someone who thinks, “If I work hard, I can swim fast” has high self-efficacy.
Someone who thinks, “I am a great swimmer” has high self-esteem.

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Description

Explore key concepts in psychology related to how we perceive ourselves and our social surroundings. This quiz covers the spotlight effect, illusion of transparency, and how self-interest influences our judgments and behaviors in social contexts.