The Self
The Self
• A system of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that continue over time and events 1. Self-concept: how we think about ourselves
• 2. Self-esteem: how we feel about ourselves
Self-Perception Theory
• If other sources of information are absent, we learn things about our self by observing our own behavior
• For example, how do you know if you are or were hungry?
• Imagined behaviors
“Looking Glass” Self
• Reaction of others is an important source of self-knowledge
• Miller, Brickman, & Bolen (1975) - “You’re Tidy” study
Possible Selves
• The multiple roles and situations we CAN see ourselves
• How do we deal with possible selves?
– We organize them according to our roles and activities
Self Complexity
• Self-complexity is the number and diversity of our self-aspects in different roles1. Low self-complexity: many similar self-aspects2. High self-complexity: many independent self-aspects
• High Self-Complexity Self-Concept
• In Relationships With Friends At School 6 6 6Outgoing Humorous QuietPlayful Relaxed StudiousReflective Assertive OrganizedMature Outgoing EmotionalReliable Mature IndustriousAssertive
• Low Self-Complexity Self-Concept
• At the Dorm At Home In Activities 6 6 6Relaxed Humorous RelaxedPlayful Relaxed HelpfulHumorous Not Studious AssertiveImaginative Affectionate Outgoing Playful Imaginative
Linville (1985)
• Ss completed a self-complexity scale
• Ss took a bogus I.Q. test
• Some were told they were in the top 10% of Yale students, while others were told they were in the bottom 10%
Increasing Self Complexity
• Become more involved in many social roles and activities
• See these roles as having different aspects of your self
• Make clear distinctions between these different selves
Self-Esteem
• Reflected in agreement with statements like, “I feel I am a person of worth.”
– People feel pretty good about themselves
• The self-enhancing bias
– “The Lake Wobegon effect”
What Do We Think of Ourselves
• Business People: Job performance, ethics, leadership
• Los Angelenos: Health
• Australians: Job performance
• Drivers: Driving ability
• Americans: Intelligence and attractiveness
• College Students: Life expectancy
• Not at All 1 2 3 4 5 Very Much
• 1. I feel that I am a person of worth, at least on an equal basis with others
• 2. I feel that I have a number of good qualities.
• 3. All in all, I am inclined to feel that I am a failure.
• 4. I am able to do things as well as most other people.
• 5. I feel that I do not have much to be proud of.
• 6. I take a positive attitude toward myself.
• 7. On the whole, I am satisfied with myself.
• 8. I wish I could have more respect for myself.
• 9. I certainly feel useless at times.
• 10. At times, I think I am no good at all.
Sources of Self-Esteem
• 1. We choose situations where we can do well
• 2. We interpret our behavior to give us the benefit of the doubt
• 3. We inflate our contributions to joint efforts
Problems with Self-Esteem
• Low Self-Esteem
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Substance Abuse
• High Self-Esteem
• Hostility
• Defensiveness
• Aggression
• Risk taking due to overconfidence
Culture and Self-Esteem
• Man made part of the environment
• Independent vs. Interdependent
Culture and Self-Esteem: Independent Self
• Independent from group
• Self-concept defined by internal attributes
• 1. Be unique
• 2. Validate their internal attributes
• 3. Promote their own goals
• 4. “Speak their minds”
Culture and Self-Esteem: Interdependent Self
• The self is dependent on the group
• Self-concept is primarily defined by social roles and relationships 1. Belong
• 2. Occupy their proper place
• 3. Engage in appropriate behavior
• 4. “Read others’ minds”
Self-Monitoring
• Cognitive monitoring of your behavior
• Low Self-Monitor: behaves the same across different situations.
• High Self-Monitor: behaves according to the situation.
Gender
• All nonbiological traits society uses to differentiate men and women
• 3 main research areas:
• 1. Gender expectancies
• 2. Behaviors
• 3. Personality
Gender: Expectancies
• Goldberg (1968) “Teacher vs. Planner”
• Recent evidence suggests this tendency is quite weak
– David vs. Nora
• Gender-stereotyped work
• Hiring preferences
Gender: Behavior
• Ways men and women are alike
• Men are more aggressive than women
• Women are more nonverbally sensitive
• Men engage in task-oriented behaviors
• Women engage in friendly behaviors
Gender: Personality
• Bem Sex Role Inventory (1974)
Contemporary Work
• Agency: the condition of being a differentiated individual and shows itself in striving for mastery & power
• Communion: the condition of being part of a larger social entity and shows itself in striving for intimacy with that larger entity
Gender and Leadership
• Gender roles ¹ Good/bad leaders
• Traits of the “ideal” leader:
• 1. Androgynous behaviors
• 2. Blend of agentic & communal behaviors