Chapter 3: The Self

Learning Objectives What is self-awareness, how does it develop, and is it unique to humans? How do conceptions of the self differ in individualist and collectivist cultures? When presenting themselves to others in everyday life, what are some common strategies that people use? What is the "dark side" of high self-esteem

The "I" and the "Me" The "I" is the part of you watching and thinking. The "me" is the object of attention. So I wonder what you think of me, (Not me wonder what you think of I) "I" am the one doing the wondering, and the thing I am focused on is "me."

William James Psychologist, philosopher, physician In his Principles of Psychology (1890), he described the development of the self. Emotional identification with an object makes it part of your self-concept. The self changes over time.

George Herbert Mead Philosopher, sociologist, psychologist In The Genesis of Self and Social Control (1925), Mead wrote that self: Emerges through symbolic interaction Internalizes the view of the generalized other

Self-Awareness State of focused attention on the self. Associated with activity in anterior cingulate cortex. Develops in humans at about 18 months of age. Some animals, but not many, show self-awareness.

Private Self-Awareness Awareness of hidden, private self-aspects Become aware of personal standards of behavior. Become aware of the mismatch between personal standards and actual behavior. Change behavior to reflect personal standards. Mood/feelings are intensified.

Public Self-Awareness Awareness of publicly available self-aspects Become aware of social standards of behavior. Become aware of the mismatch between social standards and actual behavior. Change behavior to conform with social expectations. Evaluation apprehension

Self-Regulation Most important self-function Allows us to delay gratification Control theory of self-regulation Compare to standard (public or private). Change behavior if not meeting standard. Repeat comparison. Exit feedback look when standard is achieved.

Figure 3. 1. Effects of a Mirror on American and Japanese Figure 3.1 Effects of a Mirror on American and Japanese College Students’ Self-Assessments

Self-Discrepancy Theory Three aspects of self-concept Actual self Ideal self Ought self A discrepancy between the actual self and ideal or ought self leads to particular emotions. Actual/ideal discrepancy  dejection-related emotions Actual/ought discrepancy  agitation-related emotions Emotional reactions are stronger when related to an important self-aspect

Self-Regulation Depletion Effortful self-regulation on one task leads to less success regulating on a second task. Self-regulation may decrease the brain glucose needed for subsequent cognitive functions. Self-regulation capacity can be restored through: Rest Positive emotional state

Culture and Self-Concept Individualist cultures foster independent self construal. Self is a bounded entity, separate from even close others. Collectivist cultures foster interdependent self construal. Self is defined in part by connections and relationships with others.

Figure 3.2 Which Pen Would You Choose?

Figure 3. 2. How Is the Self Construed in Collectivist and Figure 3.2 How Is the Self Construed in Collectivist and Individualist Cultures?

Biculturalism People can be socialized in multiple cultural frameworks. Moving from one place to another Parents from different cultural backgrounds Living in a subculture with different values than the dominant culture People with multiple cultural identities engage in cultural frame switching in response to situational cues.

Gender and the Self Gender identity: identification of the self as male or female In North American cultures: Women are socialized toward relational self concepts. Men are socialized toward independent self concepts. These self concepts refer to emotional connectedness to others. Not role of self within the group

Ethnic Identity Formation Age-related stages Unexamined ethnic identity Has not thought about one's own ethnic self-concept May internalize negative stereotypes Ethnic identity search Explore ethnicity through cultural events, reading, etc. May reject anything dealing with dominant culture Achieved ethnic identity Appreciate ethnic heritage Internalize beneficial values while separating the self from damaging aspects of group identity

Strategic Self Presentation The process of presenting the self in particular ways to shape others' impressions Requires self-regulation Failure in self-presentation  embarrassment Can become automatic with practice

Common Types of Self-Presentation Ingratiation Exemplification Flattery Show your integrity and moral worthiness. Modesty Intimidation Downplay accomplishments Threats Only works if people actually know your accomplishments Self-handicapping Put obstacles in your own way as an excuse for failure. Self promotion State your own accomplishments.

Self-Esteem Your evaluation of your self-concept Most people are fairly positive. View themselves more positively than others Low self-esteem is a comparative term. Low self-esteem is associated with: Unhappiness Academic, financial problems Poorer physical health

Motives for Processing Self-Relevant Information Self-enhancement motive Desire to feel good about the self "Hot," emotionally-driven process Self-verification motive Desire to know the truth about the self "Cold," cognitive, deliberate process In people with low self-esteem, positive feedback causes these motives to conflict.

Figure 3. 4. The Interplay Between Self-Enhancement Figure 3.4 The Interplay Between Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification Motives

Dark Side of High Self-Esteem Individualist cultures promote the idea that rejecting negative feedback is important and healthy. Sometimes negative feedback is useful. People with unstable high self esteem may respond aggressively to negative feedback. Characteristic of people with high explicit, low implicit self-esteem

Figure 3. 5. Narcissism as a Function of Implicit Self- Figure 3.5 Narcissism as a Function of Implicit Self- Esteem and Explicit Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem Maintenance We use connections with others to maintain or increase self-esteem. Social reflection: We emphasize connections to successful others. "Basking in reflected glory" Social comparison: We compare ourselves to others. Downward comparison makes us feel better about ourselves. Upward comparison can make use feel worse, but also help us set goals.

Dealing with Threatening Comparisons Comparisons are threatening to self-esteem when a close other performs well in a domain important to us. When an upward social comparison makes us feel bad about ourselves, we can: Exaggerate the ability of those who outperform us Reduce closeness to the other Reduce importance of the task to your self-concept