Social Psychology:
Self

James Neill

Centre for Applied Psychology

University of Canberra

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Learning Objective

• To describe how the self-concept guides the way we think about and remember information relevant to ourselves

The Self

• The self is the person, including mental processes, body and personality characteristics
• Self-concept is a schema that guides thinking and memory relevant to the self (cognitive component)
• Self-esteem is an individual's evaluation of the self and how much he/she likes and respects the self (affective component)

The Self and Culture

• The self is viewed differently in collectivist and individualist cultures
• Collectivist cultures (e.g. Asian cultures) view the self as interdependent, and define self in terms of social relationships
  (e.g. mother, employee).
• Individualist cultures (e.g. Australia, New Zealand) view the self as independent and define self in terms of personal attributes (e.g. intelligent, friendly).

Motives that guide perception of self

Self Esteem

• The way individuals feel about themselves

Self Consistency

• The motive to interpret information to fit the way one already sees oneself

Self Presentation

• The process by which people try to control the impressions that others form of them (Impression Formation)