The Self

What is the self?

• Two aspects combine for a coherent identity:– The self is composed of our thoughts and beliefs

about ourselves = self conceptself concept– The self if the active processor of information where

we think about ourselves = self-awarenessself-awareness

Analogy: Your self is both a book (self concept) and the reader of the book (self-awareness)

• When does the sense of self develop?• Are we the only species with a sense of self?

What are the functions of the self?

• Organizational function– Self-schemasSelf-schemas: how do they compare to schemas from

Chapter 4?– Self-reference effectSelf-reference effect: how does this effect compare to

our discussion the first day about personal relevance?

• Executive function– Self regulatory resource modelSelf regulatory resource model: would the same

factors that decrease automaticity from Chapter 4 also decrease self-regulation?

What IsSelf-presentation?

• Self presentationSelf presentation -the process through which we try to control the impressions people form of us

More likely to self present when you are the object of attention

– The attention can be real (in public eye)

– There is a general tendency to overestimate the actual attention we receive (Spotlight Effect)

– Some people have a tendency to be chronically aware of oneself as in the public eye (Public self-consciousness)

– Some people have a tendency to be chronically concerned with one’s public image and to adjust one’s actions to fit the needs of the current situation (Self-monitoring)

Goals of Self-presentationGoals of Self-presentation

• To be seen as To be seen as likeablelikeable (ingratiation)(ingratiation)• To be seen as competent To be seen as competent (self-promotion) (self-promotion) • To be seen as To be seen as powerfulpowerful (intimidation)(intimidation)

Goal:Goal:To appear To appear likeablelikeable

Express Liking Express Liking for Othersfor Others

Create Create SimilaritySimilarity

Make Ourselves Make Ourselves Physically Physically AttractiveAttractive

Goals of Self-presentationGoals of Self-presentation

Goal:Goal:To Appear To Appear CompetentCompetent

Using the Using the Trappings of Trappings of CompetenceCompetence

Making Excuses Making Excuses or Claiming or Claiming ObstaclesObstacles

Claiming Claiming CompetenceCompetence

Goals of Self-presentationGoals of Self-presentation

Goal:Goal:To Convey To Convey StatusStatus

Basking in Basking in Reflective Reflective GloryGlory

Nonverbal Nonverbal dominancedominance

Display Artifacts of Display Artifacts of PowerPower

Goals of Self-presentationGoals of Self-presentation

Knowing ourselves through Introspection

• Knowing ourselves through Introspection– Self-Awareness Theory– Causal Theories

• Knowing ourselves through our own behavior– Self-Perception Theory– Intrinsic versus Extrinsic motivation

• Using other people to understand ourselves– Social Comparison Theory

• Downward social comparison, and why?• Upward social comparison, and why?