The Self - Where self-knowledge comes from

6 important questions on The Self - Where self-knowledge comes from

What is the name of the process by which a person observes and examines their internal (mental and emotional) states for behaving in a certain way?

This process often leads to inaccurate results, since it is difficult to unearth (sometimes unwanted) unconscious mental states that affect behavior.

Introspection

What is the name of the theory that assumes that when a person's mental states are ambiguous (not clear/decided), they can draw conclusions about them by observing their own behavior?

EX: a man is smiling and whistling to himself after giving a presentation, and to him the situation alone seems insufficient to have caused the behavior, so the man concludes that he must be relieved and must have been more stressed about the presentation than he had thought

Self-perception theory

What is the name of the conclusions a person draws about others' assessments/judgements/[...] of them that they gain by observing others' reactions towards themselves, that we internalize to form our self-concept and guide our future behavior?

Reflected appraisals

(Reflected, because "others' reactions serve as a mirror in which we see ourselves")
[...] = appraisals
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What is the name of the process of when a person compares themselves with others in order to evaluate their own abilities and opinions?

Social comparison

What type of identities is an extension of the relational self - meaning, what other than significant others/relationships do we incorporate into our self-concepts that we identify with?

Social identities;
The social groups we identify with

EX: gender, ethnicity, religion, profession, political membership, etc.

What is the name of a person's sequences of events in their life and how they experienced them, that shape who they are by connecting the past to the present?

EX: school time, living with parents, losing someone, winning a contest

Autobiographical memories

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo