PSYC 355 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Identity Formation, Internal Control, Conscientiousness
Document Summary
Self: all of the characteristics of a person. Self understanding: p"s cognitive representation of self, substance & content of self- conceptions. Student, football player, family member, video game lover, etc. Abstraction and idealism -- more likely to use idealistic terms to describe themselves. Differentiation -- include situational variations in describing themselves (with family vs. with friends) Fluctuating self -- self is characterized as instable (switching between different selves) Contradictions within the self -- into multiple roles in different contexts; can be ugly & beautiful, caring & uncaring, etc. Real vs. ideal, true vs. false selves -- detect discrepancy between actual self and ideal self (person they want to be) Possible self: what p might become, what they would like to be or afraid of being. More likely to show false self to classmate/partner (to impress others?) Social comparison -- belief that he/she is viewed by others (looking glass self) But won"t admit it b/c they believe it"ll endanger their popularity.