1. Know thyself? Accuracy vs. Illusion Long tradition of value of self insight Long tradition of value of self insight –Greeks: Know thyself –Therapeutic insights –Self actualization movement: come to terms with all facets of self –Developmental theories (Levinson): come to terms with illusions

2. Taylor & Brown, 1986: Illusions and well-being: Know thyself Comparisons of depressed, low self-esteem and controls Comparisons of depressed, low self-esteem and controls Illusion of control Illusion of control –Langer: lottery, 227 cards –Choice (8.97)Gift (1.96) Unrealistic Optimism (Weinstein, 1980) Unrealistic Optimism (Weinstein, 1980) –Good events more likely to happen to us than average peer (good job, gifted child) –Bad events more likely to happen to other (disease, robbery, gum disease) Unrealistically positive views of the self Unrealistically positive views of the self –Self, own group more desirable traits than other, out group

3. An explanation and a critique Illusions  mood, motivation, good relations  well-being Illusions  mood, motivation, good relations  well-being Critiques Critiques –Not serious illusions like psychosis –Swann: Ubiquity of positive self concepts Seek truth in feedback from others, even negative Seek truth in feedback from others, even negative Recall truthful information about self Recall truthful information about self