PSYB10H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Three Steps, The Need, Positive Illusions
Document Summary
Self-concept: the sum total of an individual"s beliefs about his or her won personal attributes: made up of cognitive molecules called self-schemas. Self-schemas: a belief people hold about themselves that guides the processing of self-relevant information. Self schemas are to an individual"s total self-concept what hypothesis are to a theory. Our sense of identity is biologically rooted. Some argue that synaptic connection within the brain provide biological base for memory. Self can be transformed or even completely destroyed by severe head injuries, brain tumors, diseases and exposure to toxic substance that damage brain and nervous system. Social neuroscientists use pet and fmri scans to capture brain in action. Some areas of the brain are activated when we see a pic of ourselves or have to judge others. Only humans and other apes/primates are capable of self-recognition. Studies saw at first animals treated reflection as a different animals but then started using the mirror to examine themselves.
