Chapter 3

Self-discrepancy theory

Behavior is motivated by standards reflecting ideal and ought selves

Collective Self

Beliefs about our identities as members of social groups to which we belong

Relational self

Beliefs about our identities in specific relationships

Individual self

Beliefs about our unique personal traits, abilities, preferences, tastes, talents, etc.

Upward Social comparison

Comparing ourselves to others who are better than we are

Downward Social comparison

Comparing ourselves to people who are slightly worse than we are

Promotion focus

Focus on positive outcomes when working toward ideal self

Better-than-average effect

Most people think they are above average on various trait and ability dimensions

Self-verification theory

Motivated to have views of the self that are accurate, consistent, and coherent.

Working self-concept

Only a subset of self-knowledge is brought to mind in a particular context (different situations, different self concepts)

Sociometer hypothesis

Self-esteem is an internal, subjective index or marker of the extent to which a person is included or looked on favorably by others

Actual self

The self we truly believe ourselves to be

Self-complexity theory

The tendency to define the self in terms of multiple domains that are relatively distinct from one another another in content -High in Self-Complexity, define in terms of multiple domains -Low in Self-Complexity, define self in terms of fewer domains

Self-evaluation maintenance model

We are motivated to see ourselves in a favorable light and we do so through Reflection and Comparison -Reflection: We enhance ourselves by associating with others' areas not relevant to our self-definition -Comparison: We compare our abilities or accomplishments with others in areas relevant to our self-definition

Social comparison theory

We evaluate ourselves through comparisons to others

Self-reference effect

We have a better memory for information related to ourselves

Ego depletion

When we exercise self-control, we deplete our reserves, making it hard to exercise self-control in the future

Prevention focus

avoid negative outcomes when working to ought self

Self-handicapping

tendency to engage in self-defeating behavior to prevent others from assuming a poor performance was due to a lack of ability

Ought self

the person we feel we should be, the person others want us to be

Ideal self

the person we wish/aspire to be