Chapter 14 - Approaches to the Self

Self conceptSelf esteemSocial identity

1) Average age 18 months. Mirror test and personal pronouns. 2) Sex and age 2-3 years3) based on talents and skills; social comparisons; private self concept 3-12 years 4) Move from concrete characteristics to more abstract psychological terms5) perspective taking; objective self awareness

Specific structure of self image; More likely to process information that is consistent with self schemata.Self guides: possible selves, ideal self, ought self

Only publicly displayed characteristics.Continuity; Contrast (with others)Erikson: people work to achieve identity: try new ones, or fit into ready made ones. Identity Crisis - anxiety that comes with redefining own identity. deficit: not formed an adequate identity so trouble making decisions. Conflict: incompatibility between two or more aspects of identity.

Many areas of self esteem; global self esteem... high in one area often means high in others.Research: mostly on how people respond to criticism. Low - fear of failure, and lack enthusiasm after neg feedback. High - fear of not succeeding, and still try on subsequent activities.Self-complexity: focus on areas in our life where we are still "good," to defend against failures in other areas of our life. defensive pessimism: expect to do poorly, so not let down when fail.Self handicapping: deliberately does things to increase failure.variability = bad