Self-Knowledge: How We Come

to Understand Ourselves
Chapter 5

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The Nature of the Self

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 Functions of the Self

Why do human adults have such a multifaceted,

complex definition of self?
Researchers have found that the self serves
both:

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 Self-Knowledge
Cultural Differences in Defining the Self

In many Western cultures, people have an

independent view of the self.

Independent View of the Self

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 Cultural Differences in
Defining the Self

In contrast, many Asian and other non-Western

cultures have an interdependent view of the
self.

Interdependent View of the Self

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 Gender Differences in
Defining the Self
• Women

• Men

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 Knowing Ourselves
Through Introspection

Introspection

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 Focusing on the Self:
Self-Awareness Theory
Self-Awareness Theory

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Judging Why We Feel the Way We Do:
Telling More than We Can Know
Causal Theories

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 The Consequences of
Introspecting about Reasons

Reasons-Generated Attitude Change

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 Knowing Ourselves by
Observing Our Own Behavior
Self-Perception Theory

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 Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic Motivation

Extrinsic Motivation

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 Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Motivation

Overjustification Effect

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 Preserving Intrinsic Interest 

Task-Contingent Rewards

Performance-Contingent Rewards

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 Understanding Our Emotions:
The Two-Factor Theory of Emotion

Two-Factor Theory of Emotion

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 Finding the Wrong Cause:
Misattribution of Arousal

Misattribution of Arousal

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 Interpreting the Social World:
Appraisal Theories of Emotion
Appraisal Theories of Emotion

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Using Other People To Know Ourselves

Social contact is crucial to the development of a

self-concept.

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 Knowing Ourselves by Comparing
Ourselves to Others
Social Comparison Theory

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 Knowing Ourselves by Comparing
Ourselves to Others
(1) When do you engage in social comparison?

(2) With whom do you choose to compare

yourself?

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 Knowing Ourselves by Comparing
Ourselves to Others
upward social downward social
comparison: comparison:

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 Knowing Ourselves by
Adopting Other People’s Views

Social Tuning
.

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 Impression Management:
All the World’s a Stage
Impression Management

Ingratiation

Self-Handicapping
.
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 Impression Management:
All the World’s a Stage
There are two major ways in which people self-handicap.

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Culture, Impression Management,
and Self-Enhancement
Self-Enhancement
.

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