Self-discrepancy

Prof Dr Rajasekaran
 Self-discrepancy
• Self-discrepancy consists of a mismatch
between the self-perceptions that make up
the actual self, ideal self, and ought self.
• According to E. Tory Higgins (1989),
discrepancies between actual and ideal selves
produce disappointment and sadness, whereas
discrepancies between actual and ought selves
result in irritability and guilt.
• Such self-discrepancies can make individuals
vulnerable to more serious psychological
problems, such as depression and anxiety-
related disorders.
 Coping with Self-Discrepancies
• Can individuals do anything to blunt the
negative emotions and blows to self-esteem
associated with self-discrepancies?
• Yes!
• For one thing, people can change their
behavior to bring it more in line with their
ideal or ought selves.
 Self Awareness
• Heightened self-awareness intensifies people’s
internal sensations (Silvia & Duval, 2001; Silvia
& Gendolla, 2001)
Factors Shaping the Self-Concept
 One’s Own Observations

• Leon Festinger’s (1954) social comparison

theory proposes that individuals compare
themselves with others in order to assess their
abilities and opinions.
 Feedback from Others
• Individuals’ self-concept is shaped significantly
by the feedback they get from important
people in their lives.
 Social Context
• Receiving feedback from others reveals that
the self concept does not develop in isolation.
Of course, it’s not only people that matter; so
do the social contexts where interactions
occur.
 Cultural Values
• Individualism involves putting personal goals
ahead of group goals and defining one’s
identity in terms of personal attributes rather
than group memberships.
• In contrast, collectivism involves putting group
goals ahead of personal goals and defining
one’s identity in terms of the groups one
belongs to (such as one’s family, tribe, work
group, social class, caste, and so on).
Thank you