Clay often exaggerates his positive qualities on his Facebook updates. He rationalizes the exaggerations by saying, "Who cares what I'm really like anyway?" Clay has separated his ________ self from his ________ self with his exaggerations.
A) outer; public
B) ideal; actual
C) collective; actual
D) ideal; looking-glass

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The question is referring to Clay's ideal self, as he is exaggerating positive qualities that he wishes he had or wants others to perceive him as having. This is separate from his actual self, which is the true version of himself. Choice A (outer/public) doesn't quite fit as Clay is still presenting this ideal self publicly on Facebook. Choice C (collective/actual) doesn't make sense as the question is asking about two separate selves, not a collective one. Choice D (ideal/looking-glass) is close, but the looking-glass self refers to how others perceive us, and the question is specifically about Clay's own self-perception.

Clay Often Exaggerates His Positive Qualities on His Facebook Updates