2.3: Perceiving and Presenting Self - Notes

Learning Objectives

• Define self-concept and how it develops.
• Define self-esteem and its development.
• Understand social comparison theory and self-discrepancy theory.
• Discuss influences of social norms, family, culture, and media on self-perception.
• Define self-presentation and common strategies.

Key Concepts

Self-Concept

• Definition: The overall idea of who a person thinks they are.
• Influenced by:
  • Personal characteristics (abilities, personality).
  • Group or cultural membership (e.g., fraternity, geographic region).
• Formed through interactions with others (e.g., looking glass self).

Social Comparison Theory

• Definition: We evaluate ourselves based on comparisons to others.
• Two dimensions: superiority/inferiority and similarity/difference.
• Social comparisons can be beneficial or harmful depending on reference groups.

Self-Esteem

• Definition: Judgments and evaluations about self-concept.
• Varies across lifespan and contexts.
• Affected by feedback and personal importance of traits.

Self-Efficacy

• Definition: Judgments about the ability to perform tasks in specific contexts.
• Influences self-esteem and overall self-concept.
• Positive feedback can increase self-efficacy.

Self-Discrepancy Theory

• Different Selves: Actual, ideal, ought selves.
• Discrepancies between these selves can cause motivation for change or stress.

Influences on Self-Perception

Social and Family Influences

• Feedback from significant others shapes self-perception.
• Praise can be motivating but excessive praise may lead to distorted self-concepts.

Cultural Influences

• Self-enhancement bias varies by culture; more common in individualistic cultures.
• Economic inequality can influence self-perception.

Media Influences

• Media representations often show idealized beauty standards.
• Narrow representations can affect body image and self-perception negatively.

Self-Presentation

• Definition: Strategically revealing or concealing personal information to influence others.
• Can be ethical and beneficial if aligned with true self.
• Two main types:
  • Prosocial: Benefits others.
  • Self-serving: Benefits self at others' expense.

Self-Presentation Online

• Social media impacts self-presentation and reputation.
• Online behavior is a form of self-presentation that can have lasting digital footprints.

Key Takeaways

• Self-concept and self-esteem are developed through interactions and comparisons.
• Family, culture, and media are significant influences on self-perception.
• Effective self-presentation can positively influence social and professional relationships.

Exercises

• List characteristics that describe your self-concept.
• Reflect on a time when discrepancies in self affected your self-concept.
• Identify influences of family, culture, or media on your self-concept.
• Discuss ways to engage in self-presentation in different contexts.

References

• Key texts and studies from Bandura, Cooley, Hargie, Higgins, and others.