What do you do on the first day of class?

How do you know? Schema –Organizes knowledge –“Script” “Who are you?” Self Schema –The cognitive structure that is made up of ideas about the self.

Measuring Self-Schema Commonly use S data How do you see yourself ? –Rate Am the life of the party. Feel comfortable around people. Start conversations. Talk to a lot of different people at parties. Don't mind being the center of attention. Make friends easily. Take charge. Know how to captivate people. Feel at ease with people. Am skilled in handling social situations.

Measuring Self-Schema Sociable Schema High scores = schematic on this dimension Low scores = aschematic on this dimension Results Schematic individuals –tend to behave in a sociable manner –Sensitive to social stimuli

Measuring Self-Schema _____1. I regularly tells jokes and funny stories when in a group. _____2. People usually laugh when I tell a joke or story. _____3. I have a good memory for jokes or funny stories. _____4. I can be funny without having to rehearse a joke. _____5. Being funny is a natural communication style for me. _____6. I can tell a joke well. _____7. People always ask me to tell stories. _____8. Friends would say that I am a funny person. _____9. People pay close attention when I tell a joke. _____10. Even unfunny jokes seem entertaining when I tell them. _____11. I can easily remember jokes and stories. _____12. I always tell jokes and stories when asked to. _____13. I can tell stories and jokes very well. _____14. Of all the people I know, I am the funniest. _____15. I use humor to communicate in a variety of situations.

Measuring Self-Schema Humor Schema High scores = schematic on this dimension Low scores = aschematic on this dimension Results Schematic individuals –Tend to behave in a humor manor / tell jokes better –Judge others in terms of humor

Self-Schema Schematic individuals are “experts” on the dimension Experts (in any area) tend to –Remember relevant information about domain –See world in terms of the domain –Can automatically respond to issues related to the domain

Questionaire

Schema Three types of schemas “Actual” self –How you see yourself –Sum scores on page 3 High scores = see actual self in an undesirable manner

Schema Three types of schemas “Ideal” self –What is your “best” self Sum scores on page 4 –High score = currently see self as close to ideal Represents the state where all the rewards you could get are attained

Schema Three types of schemas “Ought” self –What self should you be Sum scores on page 2 –High score = currently see self as close to how one ought to be Represents the state where no punishments or other bad events will occur

Ideal SelfOught SelfActual Self Rarely are either “ideal self” or “ought self” The further you are from the ideal self Depression! The further you are from the ought self Anxiety! Depression caused by disappointment Anxiety caused by fear

More selves How many “actual” selves do you have? The actual self you have in working memory depends on –Who you are with –What you are doing

Working Self-Concept What is your self like when you are.... With romantic partner With your family At school At work

Working Self-Concept Problem! Romantic Dependable Angry Hard Worker No “true” self / No identity

Working Self-Concept What “self” determines which “self” to use?

Problem What “self” determines which “self” to use?

Working Self-Concept Problem! Where does it stop? Self as studentSelf as psychology student Self as personality psychology student Self as personality psychology student in lecture Self as personality psychology student studying Self as personality psychology student taking test

Working Self-Concept Problem! People tend to behave the same across situations!

Questionnaire Is talkative Is not reserved Is full of energy Generates a lot of enthusiasm Tends not to be quiet Has an assertive personality Is outgoing, sociable

Schema vs. Traits Two names for the same underlying construct Big-5 (extraversion) Schema researchers vs. Trait researchers