Chapter 5

• What is the main topic of Chapter 5?

  The Nature, Origins, and Functions of the Self
• How does the self-concept relate to social influences?

  It is shaped by social contexts and interactions
• What does the self-concept encompass?

  Knowledge about traits, identities, and experiences
• What is the ego according to Freud?

  The aspect of self that controls actions
• What are the two aspects of self according to James?

  • The Me: Knowledge about oneself
  • The I: The voice that makes decisions
• How does culture influence the self-concept?

  It shapes how people describe themselves
• How might a person's name reflect cultural influences?

  It can signify cultural heritage and identity
• What is social identity theory?

  People define themselves by social group memberships
• How do cultural constructs affect self-perception?

  They feel like essential parts of identity
• How do geographic regions influence self-concept?

  They shape cultural identities and roles
• What do individualistic cultures emphasize in self-concept?

  Viewing oneself as a unique individual
• What do collectivistic cultures emphasize in self-concept?

  Defining oneself in relation to others
• What is a challenge faced by multiracial individuals?

  Pressure to choose one racial identity
• What do men and women generally rate themselves on?

  Trust, anxiety, assertiveness, and openness
• How do cultural influences shape gender differences?

  They dictate appropriate behaviors and self-views
• What does social role theory explain about gender roles?

  They arise from historical role distributions
• How do people infer gender roles?

  By observing behaviors in specific roles
• What is the self-schema according to Hazel Markus?

  An integrated set of memories about self
• What are the key influences on self-concept discussed in this chapter?

  • Cultural influences
  • Gender influences
  • Shifting social contexts
• How does the self-concept change across different social contexts?

  Some aspects remain stable, others change
• What attributes are considered self-defining?

  Attributes central to one's identity
• What is the significance of self-defining attributes?

  They are central to who a person is
• How do people organize their self-defining attributes?

  As a self-schema in their memory
• What does the self-concept refer to?

  It refers to how individuals perceive themselves.
• What does research suggest about the stability of self-concept?

  Some aspects are stable, while others change.
• What is a self-schema?

  • An integrated set of memories
  • Beliefs about self-defining attributes
  • Generalizations about those attributes
• How do people process information about self-defining attributes?

  Quickly and with reluctance to conflicting information.
• What is the working self-concept?

  It is the activated portion of self-schema.
• What influences the working self-concept?

  Social situation, priming, and motivation.
• How does solo status affect self-concept?

  It highlights unique attributes in a context.
• What is solo status?

  A sense of being unique in a group.
• How does culture influence self-concept?

  • Shapes descriptions of self
  • Affects understanding of social roles
  • Influences attributes emphasized in self-concept
• What does social role theory suggest about gender roles?

  Biological differences favor different social roles.
• What is the relationship between self-schemas and self-concept stability?

  Self-schemas contribute to self-concept stability.
• How do contextual factors affect self-concept?

  They highlight or downplay aspects of self-concept.
• What are the three sources of self-knowledge?

  Appraisals, social comparisons, and self-perceptions.
• What is symbolic interactionism?

  • Understanding self through others' views
  • Basis for knowing and evaluating oneself
  • Developed by Cooley and Mead
• What is the looking-glass self?


  Others reflect back who we are.
• How do appraisals influence self-evaluation?

  They help judge actions as good or bad.
• How might a person feel about themselves after receiving negative feedback?

  They may feel less worthy or inadequate.