PSYCH 13 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Symbolic Interactionism, Social Comparison Theory, Motivation
Document Summary
Sense of self/self identity is fundamental to social interaction. Self concept: the sum total of beliefs that people have about themselves. Self schemas: beliefs about oneself that guide the processing of self- relevant information. Schematic information is noticed more readily, overrepresented in cognition and associated with longer processing. Schematic vs schematic dimensions, generally self-concepts equals many self schemas. Introspection: examining one"s own inner thoughts and feelings. May be inaccurate because of confusion, overestimation of positives or inability to anticipate future emotions (affective forecasting) Perceptions of our own behaviour: self perception theory is when internal cues are difficult to interpret, people look to their behaviours. Influences of other people: social comparisons theory is when people evaluate their own abilities and opinions by comparing themselves with others. Upward social comparison (self-evaluation maintenance model) and downward social comparison (also between groups, self categorisation theory)
