Self-Concept and Motivation

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Questions and Answers

What was the key finding regarding the group labeled as tidy in the study?

They spread more litter than the other groups.

They behaved according to the label given to them. (correct)

They were unaffected by external labels.

They began to see themselves as more reliable.

How do reactions from others affect individuals with an uncertain self-concept?

They can drastically shape their self-perception. (correct)

They reinforce already established self-views.

They encourage isolation from social interactions.

They have little to no effect.

What is social comparison theory primarily concerned with?

Comparing one's self-concept to a person in a similar role.

Understanding self-concept through comparisons with others. (correct)

Shaping self-concept through direct feedback from others.

Analyzing differences in self-concept based on cultural background.

Which group received no specific messages about being tidy?

The control group with no explicit guidance. Signup and view all the answers

According to the findings, what can influence one's self-concept besides explicit labeling?

Subtle reactions from significant others. Signup and view all the answers

What does a self-fulfilling prophecy involve?

Expectations shaping an individual’s performance. Signup and view all the answers

Who initially proposed the concept of social comparison theory?

Leon Festinger Signup and view all the answers

In context of the research, which statement accurately describes those with established self-views?

They depend more on comparisons with others. Signup and view all the answers

What approach do parents in individualist cultures often use to encourage children to try new foods?

Emphasizing personal growth and strength Signup and view all the answers

How do people in collectivist cultures typically view the self?

As connected with others and defined by social roles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the self-concept in individualist cultures?

Independent and unique, focusing on personal traits Signup and view all the answers

What is one common strategy for reconciling inconsistencies in self-concept?

Selecting a dominant personal attribute to identify with Signup and view all the answers

What mindset do children in collectivist cultures commonly learn from their caregivers?

Caring for others and community roles Signup and view all the answers

How does the self-concept differ between North American students and those from collectivist cultures?

North Americans describe themselves with general, distinctive traits Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects an individualist perspective on self-concept?

Unique characteristics define an individual's identity Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that influences how self-concept is formed in various cultures?

Influence of cultural narratives and values Signup and view all the answers

How does self-knowledge impact our behavior?

It directs and regulates our thoughts and actions. Signup and view all the answers

What emotional responses are dictated by our goals that define who we are?

Pride and joy from valued accomplishments, fear or anger from threats. Signup and view all the answers

What motivates individuals to show others the kind of person they are?

A strong sense of self prompting actions like volunteering or coaching. Signup and view all the answers

In what way is self-perception biased according to the content?

It is colored by motivational pressures to think positively about oneself. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when our sense of self is challenged?

We may experience confusion and distress. Signup and view all the answers

What is important to remember about the self-portraits we create?

They can be generally accurate but subject to personal biases. Signup and view all the answers

How do we react emotionally to events that thwart us?

With fear or anger, as they threaten our self-concept. Signup and view all the answers

What parallels the way we perceive others?

The process of forming impressions of ourselves. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary factor that causes emotions according to the prevailing view?

Appraisals of self-relevant events Signup and view all the answers

Which emotion is typically associated with the appraisal of one's own controllable action causing a negative event?

Guilt Signup and view all the answers

What action tendency corresponds with feeling guilty after causing a negative event?

Hurt another person Signup and view all the answers

In the case of finding an empty refrigerator, which appraisal would likely result in the emotion of anger?

Finding it empty due to a roommate's actions Signup and view all the answers

What emotion is most likely to occur when a positive event fails to happen?

Sadness Signup and view all the answers

Which emotion is linked to the appraisal of feeling relief?

Relaxing Signup and view all the answers

What can cause different emotions despite similar situations, such as an empty refrigerator?

Appraisals of the situation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios would likely lead to the emotion of sadness?

Realizing a positive event did not occur Signup and view all the answers

Why do bronze medalists often appear happier than silver medalists despite their lower ranking?

They compare themselves with fourth-place competitors. Signup and view all the answers

What tactic do people use to feel better about their own accomplishments?

Downplaying their similarities to successful individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What did Bram Buunk and his colleagues find about favorable social comparisons?

They can enhance positive feelings about relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What common behavior do people exhibit when they learn about a positive attribute they possess?

They underestimate the number of others who share that attribute. Signup and view all the answers

How do breast-cancer patients typically enhance their self-view?

By comparing with those who have more severe conditions or lack support. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential psychological effect of having an average performance in light of others' failures?

Feeling superior to those who performed poorly. Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary reason for self-enhancement as mentioned?

To protect self-esteem from negative comparisons. Signup and view all the answers

What might individuals do to lessen feelings of unhappiness related to social comparisons?

Compare themselves with those who are less successful. Signup and view all the answers

What is the actor-observer effect?

Attributing personal actions to situational factors while attributing others' actions to internal characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

According to the actor-observer effect, how do people typically explain their own actions?

In terms of situational influences. Signup and view all the answers

What role does salience play in the actor-observer effect?

Others' actions are more salient than one's own actions, influencing attributions. Signup and view all the answers

Why might someone attribute their enjoyment of a book differently than the enjoyment of someone else's book?

They consider personal circumstances for their own enjoyment. Signup and view all the answers

What did Jones and Nisbett contribute to the understanding of the actor-observer effect?

They proposed the idea in 1972. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception people have regarding their own actions versus those of others?

They fail to recognize situational causes for their actions. Signup and view all the answers

What did Kahneman and Miller emphasize about the considerations of various causes?

Self and others are viewed through different causal lenses. Signup and view all the answers

How does the perception of a stimulus differ for an actor compared to an observer?

An actor perceives the world around them, while the observer focuses on the actor's response. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Self-Concept: Learning Who We Are

People generally view themselves as above average on desirable qualities.
This tendency, called the Lake Wobegon effect, involves individuals believing they are superior to average.
Self-concept is comprised of self-concept (knowledge of oneself) and self-esteem (feelings about oneself).
Cues for self-concept come from self-observations, thoughts, feelings, and other people's reactions.
Self-perception theory posits that people infer their characteristics from observing their behaviors.
Intrinsic motivation leads to stronger self-inferences than extrinsic motivation.
Social comparisons influence self-concept, sometimes leading to a contrast effect (seeing oneself as worse) or an assimilation effect (seeing oneself as better) when compared to similar others.
The actor-observer effect occurs when people attribute their own behaviors to situational factors and other's behaviors to internal characteristics.
Other people's reactions are a crucial part of forming the self-concept.

Constructing the Self-Concept: Learning Who We Are

Individuals construct self-concepts by assembling diverse information about themselves in multiple roles and social situations.
People have multiple motives for comparing themselves to others: mastery (seeking accurate knowledge), connectedness (showing solidarity), and valuing (feeling good about oneself).
Social comparison helps people develop a strong sense of self by highlighting unique qualities.
People selectively use and retain information that aligns with their self-concept, creating a coherent sense of self.
Personal characteristics and self-schemas are perceived as stable, though situations and relationships dynamically influence the self-concept.

Constructing Self-Esteem: How We Feel About Ourselves

Self-esteem is the evaluation of the self (positive or negative).
Trait self-esteem refers to an individual's stable feelings about themselves.
State self-esteem reflects momentary feelings about one's self.
People generally try to maintain positive self-views, often by exaggerating their own skills and minimizing perceived failures.
Factors like mastery (success in tasks) and belonging (positive social connections) contribute to high self-esteem.

Evaluating Personal Experiences: Some Pain But Mainly Gain

Experiences profoundly affect self-esteem, but self-enhancement biases incline people toward positive experiences.
People tend to choose situations where they excel and selectively remember successes while forgetting failures.
The ability to control events directly contributes to a more positive self-image.

Social comparison is a constant process that helps shape self-evaluations and can be self-enhancing or self-deprecating, depending on circumstances and personal goals.
The closeness of the person being compared to influences how individuals react to comparative information.
People tend to compare themselves with similar others in order to gain accurate views of themselves.
Self-enhancement can involve favorable comparisons with others who are lower than or a similar skill level.
People who hold themselves in higher regard tend to use self-enhancing biases to protect their well-being.

Effects of the Self: Self-Regulation

Self-regulation involves the control of one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Motivations for self-regulation stem from wanting to be seen positively by others, achieve personal goals, or maintain a desirable image of the self.
Self-knowledge provides a framework for regulating behaviors.
People tend to remember, notice, and evaluate information related to their self.
Emotions powerfully affect all aspects of the mind, including physiological processes and behaviors.
Self-regulation has many facets, including how we think about ourselves and others, as well as how we influence people with whom we interact.

Cultural views of the self differ between individualist and collectivist societies, influencing self-esteem.
Individualistic societies emphasize independence; collectivist societies emphasize interdependence.
Individualistic cultures tend to prioritize self-enhancement, while collectivist cultures place more importance on self-criticism as a means of social integration.
Differences can also occur in specific domains of self-enhancement depending on cultural values.

Defending the Self: Coping with Stress, Inconsistencies, and Failures

People defend their sense of self using variety of strategies in response to threats.
Emotion-focused coping involves managing the emotional response to threats.
Problem-focused coping involves tackling external threats directly.
Self-handicapping techniques (creating obstacles to success) are part of the coping process.
Positive feedback and bolstering one's sense of self helps reduce threat responses (self-esteem).
External factors can influence how people react to self-threats.
Attributions related to causes of threats differ based on culture.

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Description

Explore the intricacies of self-concept, including its relation to self-esteem and the effects of social comparisons. Understand how intrinsic motivation and the Lake Wobegon effect shape our self-perception. This quiz delves into theories that explain how we learn about ourselves through observation and interaction with others.