PSYCH 3325 Lecture 7: Social Psych 2:6:17
Document Summary
When we want accurate self-information we compare ourselves to similar others. When we want to improve we compare ourselves to more skilled/better off others (cid:894)(cid:862)up(cid:449)ard so(cid:272)ial (cid:272)o(cid:373)pariso(cid:374)(cid:863)(cid:895) When we want to feel better we compare ourselves to less skilled/worse off others (cid:894)(cid:862)do(cid:449)(cid:374)(cid:449)ard so(cid:272)ial (cid:272)o(cid:373)pariso(cid:374)(cid:895) E. g. rate the extent to which these statements are true of you in general. E. g. rate the extent to which these statements are true of you right now. It"s (cid:374)ot just amount of self-esteem that matters. Sociometer theory: self-esteem is an internal monitor of whether we are socially valued. If self-worth is biased totally on one domain, it is vulnerable to threat. Western cultures are more concerned with evaluating the self and feeling good about the self. Eastern cultures are more motivated towards self-improvement and commitment to collective goals (as exposure to western culture increases, so does the concern with self-worth) Creating your own obstacles to provide an excuse for subsequent failure.