Question 1

_______ theory holds that people have a need to seek confirmation of their self-concepts,even at the expense of self-enhancement.

Accepted Answer

Self-verification theory suggests that people feel the need to confirm and validate their existing self-concepts, which can sometimes contradict the pursuit of self-enhancement. According to this theory, individuals seek out situations and feedback that match their current beliefs about themselves, even if it means receiving negative feedback or avoiding opportunities for growth and improvement. Self-verification theory suggests that stability and predictability in one's self-concept can be more important than the pursuit of greater success or happiness.

Question 2

You are sitting at the mall,gossiping with a friend about a mutual acquaintance.You suddenly catch sight of yourself on a security camera.According to self-awareness theory,what is likely to happen in this case?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are sitting at the mall,gossiping with...

Question 3

Many social psychologists assert that much of our sense of self arises from our interactions with our observations of others-in effect,the self is social.How does Leon Festinger's social comparison theory fit this conceptualization of self?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many social psychologists assert that much of...

Question 4

Describe how a self-perception theorist would explain how you come to decide whether you really like your new roommate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe how a self-perception theorist would explain...

Question 5

Which of the following theories posits that people may go to great lengths to confirm negative self-views?

Accepted Answer

Self-verification theory suggests that people desire to be understood and seen by others according to their firmly held beliefs and feelings about themselves, including negative self-views. This can lead them to seek confirmation of these views, even if they are negative.

Question 6

When Linda was a child,her friends at school all earned a lot of money if their grades were good.Linda went to her parents and asked that she be given money for good report cards.Her parents agreed.She would earn a nickel for every "A" and a dollar if she earned "all A's." Her friends,of course,were offered much more money for good grades.Using self-perception theory and the overjustification effect,explain why Linda's parents might have offered her such meager monetary rewards for academic success.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When Linda was a child,her friends at...

Question 7

Why might a person wish for feedback that confirms his or her negative self-concept? Discuss the self-verification theory perspective.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why might a person wish for feedback...

Question 8

Is self-enhancement culturally specific? Remember to define self-enhancement and summarize research exploring cultural differences in this tendency.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is self-enhancement culturally specific? Remember to define...

Question 9

Self-enhancement among individuals from Asian cultures

Accepted Answer

The answer of Self-enhancement among individuals from Asian cultures
...

Question 10

Briefly describe the tenets of self-awareness theory and explain some cognitive and behavioural consequences of self-awareness.

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

Ken is a Chinese-Canadian graduate student who has lived in Canada for 10 years.He is given a questionnaire on aspects of the self similar to one used by Ross,Xun,and Wilson (2002).What is the most likely outcome? Ken is _______ when answering the questionnaire in Chinese and _______ when answering in English.

Accepted Answer

Ken is likely to exhibit self-effacing behavior when answering the questionnaire in Chinese due to the influence of Chinese cultural norms that emphasize humility. When answering in English, the influence of Western culture, which is more individualistic and encourages self-enhancement, is likely to make him exhibit self-enhancing behavior.

Question 12

Describe the differences between downward and upward social comparison.How do they influence our sense of self?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the differences between downward and upward...

Question 13

People strive to uphold their negative self-beliefs only when they

Accepted Answer

People with high self-esteem are more likely to strive to uphold positive self-beliefs rather than negative ones. Those who are uncertain of their negative self-beliefs may be more open to changing them, and those who become self-protective may engage in self-justification but this is not always associated with a desire to uphold negative self-beliefs. Additionally, the focus on maintaining the self-esteem of others is not directly related to one's own self-beliefs. Ultimately, it is those who are highly certain of their negative self-beliefs who are most likely to actively strive to uphold them.

Question 14

Kate knows that she isn't as organized as she'd like to be.One day,Jim,a guy she's been dating for a number of months,says to her,"Wow,Kate.You always seem to have it all together.You're so organized!" What theory explains why Kate would be unhappy about Jim's statement?

Accepted Answer

Self-verification theory explains why Kate would be unhappy about Jim's statement. This theory suggests that people want to be understood and seen by others according to their firmly held beliefs and perceptions of themselves. Since Kate knows she isn't as organized as she'd like to be, Jim's comment contradicts her self-perception, leading to discomfort or unhappiness.

Question 15

According to self-verification theory,the need to self-verify will dominate our behaviour when

Accepted Answer

Self-verification theory suggests that individuals have a basic need to confirm and validate their existing self-beliefs, regardless of whether they are positive or negative. This need is especially strong when individuals are highly certain of their self-beliefs. When individuals have a strong sense of their self-concept, they are motivated to seek out information that confirms their beliefs about themselves rather than to challenge them. Therefore, option B is the correct choice.

Question 16

Most of us conceive of the self as an inherent part of who we are,constant,coherent,and stable.Still,social psychologists view the self as constructed over time.Briefly describe how early life experiences,culture,and gender influence this development or construction of our sense of self.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most of us conceive of the self...

Quiz 5: The Self Understanding Ourselves in a Social Context