Thought Paper #1: Due Thursday, Jan. 9 at the beginning of class.
Markus and Wurf’s chapter highlights how the self is a dynamic entity - one that shapes and regulates thoughts and behavior. Greenwald’s article also describes the self as dynamic but appears to take this description one step further by using the metaphor of the self as being a totalitarian regime. What was your reaction to this metaphor? Do you think it is too strong (or too weak)? Why? Do you believe “self” influences your perceptions, thoughts, and behavior in the way that Greenwald describes? Why or why not? Make sure you define and apply SPECIFIC concepts from his article.
Please do not type your name on the paper. Write your name on the back
of the second page.
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This week’s readings discuss three motives that influence self-processes:
assessment, enhancement, and verification (consistency). Which motive
do you think is most influential in determining cognitions and behavior?
Make sure you describe (specific) evidence or explanations that you found
most compelling to support your view. (Note: Do not feel you must agree
with Sedikides’ conclusion - his research has met with criticism).
Finally, which motive do you think is most adaptive (e.g., benefits mental
health, encourages success and achievement) and why? (The motive that
you argue is most adaptive does NOT have match the one you argued was
most influential).
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How does Kunda’s model of motivated reasoning compare to Paulhus
and Suedfeld’s model of self-deception? Are they contradictory or
complementary? How would you reconcile the “cold vs. hot debate”
in self-biases?
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Kunda (1990) proposes that people will engage in self-serving biases
(e.g., attributing successes to self and failures to external sources,
derogating the SAT) to the extent that the outcomes they come to can be
“justified” by self-knowledge (e.g. memories) and evidence.
This statement suggests that such biases are “constrained by reality.”
From the articles, what findings illustrate this statement? What findings
contradict it? Using a specific personal example, describe what factor
or factors (depicted in the articles that influence self-serving bias)
best represent how self-serving biases work in the “real’
world?
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The readings present examples of how people’s perceptions, memories,
and predictions can be biased in the direction of maintaining or protecting
positive self-views. Based on the readings (and the results of the research
each reading presents), find a common thread or theme that ties together
or integrates the readings. Explain/describe this theme and connect it
to one of the readings, concepts, or theories we have already discussed
in class.
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Thought Paper #6
Option #1
Do people self-handicap to protect private or public views of the self?
To explain and illustrate your opinion, use specific evidence or examples
from the readings. Finally, indicate if you think self-handicapping is
an effective or ineffective self-protection strategy and why.
Option #2
The readings suggest that there are gender differences in self-handicapping.
Summarize briefly what those differences are and provide an explanation
as to why you think such gender differences are demonstrated in the readings.
Finally, indicate if you think self-handicapping is an effective or ineffective
self-protection strategy and why.
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The readings indicate that people use different strategies to maintain positive self-views in the face of failure, threat, or negative self-relevant information. Generally, self-affirmation theory indicates that in order to maintain a global sense of integrity in the face of such threats to self, people will affirm themselves on domains unrelated to the specific threat.
What do you think determines if people choose to affirm by focusing on themselves to deal with threat (e.g., focus on their other, unrelated positive qualities as depicted in the Steele et al.) or derogate others to deal with threat (e.g., as depicted in the Fein and Spencer article)?
Finally, how do Crocker and Major suggest that people deal with negative
or challenging information about self?
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Social comparison brings self-processes into the social context. Take
a finding (or findings) from our previous readings and attempt to reinterpret
those findings through social comparison processes described in the articles.
Finally, do you think the tendency to engage in social comparison has
repercussions for close relationships? Explain why or why not.
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From the 3 articles (and other previous readings), provide answers/notes for the following:
When/why are upward comparisons:
Upsetting/threatening
Informational
Enhancing
Explain the “construal” process presented by Collins.
How is Alicke et al.’s perspective different from Collins’?
Which is more effective at maintaining positive self-views, using upward
or downward social comparisons?
Which is more adaptive? When will a person use one instead of the other?
List several questions regarding this week’s readings.
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Throughout the semester we have focused on many ways people self-enhance.
Taylor & Brown (1988) and Colvin & Block (1994) present different
views on whether the outcomes of self-enhancement, namely “positive
illusions” of the self, foster mental health. With which view do
you agree? Why? What factor or factors do you think are most important
in determining whether having unrealistically positive views of the self
is adaptive? For the last part of the question you can either draw from
this week’s readings, previous readings, or your own ideas (as long
as you provide reasons why your ideas are compelling).
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Public school systems have programs in place designed to raise students’ self-esteem (i.e., from giving out “gold stars” for performance to having kids list the qualities they like about themselves). By raising self-esteem, the goals of these programs include such issues as improving academic performance, addressing behavior problems, and bettering peer relations.
Imagine you have to report to a committee who is deciding to keep such
programs in the school system. Using evidence from this week’s
articles and any other previous readings from class, argue
against or in support of these programs. Include in your argument ways
in which you think the goals indicated above could be best or better addressed
(e.g., what factors should be considered in implementing a program).
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One recurring theme in class has been the difference between short- and
long-term benefits of self-serving biases (in other words, positive illusions).
How do the 3 readings shed light on this issue? Further, after
having read these articles, what is your view on positive illusions now?
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