Psychology 2070A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Self Esteem (Song), Self-Control, Narcissism

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2070A/B
• Professor: James M Olson

Document Summary

The contents of our sense of self (self-schemas) make up our self- concept: a collection of all the traits, beliefs, roles, hobbies, values etc that we have, the knowledge about who we are. We have a self-concept because it serves as an executive function, regulating people"s behaviour, choices and plans for the future. People have a limited amount of energy to devote to self-control: we often fail at it when we are under stress. Self-reference effect: tendency for people to remember information better if they relate it to themselves. We have high self-concept clarity (extent to which knowledge about the self if stable and clearly defined) if our self-schemas are: held with certainty, perceived to be consistent and stable. Low self-concept clarity (also called self-concept confusion) is essentially not having firm knowledge of who we are: linked with low self- esteem.