Sociometer Theory Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

What does the Rosenberg measure?

overall self-esteem

How do scores on the Rosenberg differ across cultures and why?

lower scores in interdependent cultures than independent cultures. This could be explained by independent cultures' likelihood to engage in polar thinking, while interdependent cultures accept contradictions as parts of the self.

What is the cultural trade-off hypothesis?

The two components of self-esteem are self-liking and self-competence. Liking is higher in independent cultures, while competence is higher in interdependent cultures.

People with low self-esteem are more likely to give themselves lower ratings on traits that are seen as positive.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of self-esteem is due to genetics?

<p>30-50%</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does behavior genetics study?

<p>How much our genes and our environment influence our individual differences, comparing MZ twins to DZ twins.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is sociometer theory (Leary)?

<p>The theory that self-esteem is a gauge that monitors our social interactions and signals whether our behavior is acceptable to others.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is self-determination theory?

<p>Deci and Ryan's theory asserting that all humans have three basic, innate organismic needs: competence, relatedness, and autonomy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does terror management theory propose?

<p>It proposes that faith in one's worldview and the pursuit of self-esteem provide protection against a deeply rooted fear of death.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Dominance Theory?

<p>Focuses on unequal power relations between men and women that manifest as language differences, with more dominant individuals having higher self-esteem.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is trait self-esteem?

<p>A person's enduring level of self-regard across time; fairly stable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is state self-esteem?

<p>One's self-evaluation in a specific situation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is there a fundamental assumption of sociometer theory regarding the need to belong?

<p>Evolutionary selection shows we are wired to have close and caring relationships because that is how humans have survived.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following properties of the self-esteem system with their descriptions:

<p>Highly sensitive to indications that social inclusion or acceptance is in danger = Property of self-esteem system More sensitive to relational devaluation = Property of self-esteem system Should always operate at an unconscious level = Property of self-esteem system</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who will be included or excluded in social contexts?

<p>Not likable people will be excluded; incompetent individuals and those who don't follow group norms will also be excluded, while physically attractive people are included more.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Do people need to be liked by everyone to have high self-esteem?

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is always sensitive to rejection - state or trait?

<p>State self-esteem is sensitive to rejection.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Blackhart (2009) surprising finding?

<p>People do not show drops in acute self-esteem when socially rejected.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Self-Esteem Measurement

  • Rosenberg measures overall self-esteem.

Cultural Differences in Self-Esteem

  • Scores on the Rosenberg differ across cultures, with interdependent cultures showing lower self-esteem than independent cultures.
  • Independent cultures engage in polar thinking, interpreting self-concepts in oppositional terms, while interdependent cultures accept contradictions.

Cultural Trade-Off Hypothesis

  • Self-esteem comprises two components: self-liking and self-competence.
  • Liking is typically higher in independent cultures, while competence is greater in interdependent cultures.

Self-Esteem and Self-Descriptions

  • Individuals with low self-esteem are inclined to rate themselves lower on positive traits.

Genetic Influence on Self-Esteem

  • Approximately 30-50% of self-esteem is attributable to genetic factors.

Behavior Genetics

  • Studies the interplay between genetics and the environment in shaping individual differences.
  • Comparison is often made between monozygotic (MZ) twins and dizygotic (DZ) twins.

Sociometer Theory

  • Proposed by Leary, this theory posits that self-esteem serves as a gauge of social interaction, informing individuals of their social acceptance.

Self-Determination Theory

  • Developed by Deci and Ryan, this theory identifies three inherent needs in humans: competence, relatedness, and autonomy.

Terror Management Theory

  • Suggests that a belief in one's worldview and the pursuit of self-esteem help individuals cope with the fear of death.

Dominance Theory

  • Also known as social power theory, it examines unequal power dynamics between genders and their impact on language and self-esteem. A dominant individual tends to have higher self-esteem.

Trait vs. State Self-Esteem

  • Trait self-esteem refers to an individual’s consistent level of self-regard over time, while state self-esteem signifies self-evaluation influenced by specific situations.

Need to Belong

  • The fundamental assumption of sociometer theory highlights that humans are evolutionarily designed to form close, caring relationships for survival.

Properties of Self-Esteem System

  • Sensitive to cues indicating risks of social exclusion.
  • More responsive to relational devaluation indicating potential rejection.
  • Operates largely at an unconscious level.

Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

  • Unlikable individuals (e.g., unfriendly, argumentative) tend to be excluded from groups.
  • Groups often exclude incompetent members and those who do not conform to group norms, while physically attractive individuals are more likely to be included.

Social Approval Requirements for High Self-Esteem

  • Individuals do not require universal likability to maintain high self-esteem; a reasonable amount of social approval is sufficient.

Sensitivity to Rejection

  • State self-esteem is more sensitive to feelings of rejection. In studies, even those seeking approval experience drops in acute self-esteem post-rejection.

Blackhart (2009) Study Finding

  • Contrary to expectations, individuals do not consistently perceive drops in acute self-esteem following social rejection.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of the Sociometer Theory through flashcards. This quiz focuses on the Rosenberg self-esteem measure and its cultural implications. Test your understanding of self-esteem variations across different cultures.

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