Describe self-discrepancy theory, and explain how it accounts for certain emotional reactions. Also explain the role of self-awareness in these reactions
What will be an ideal response?
Self-discrepancy theory states that people's emotional reactions are the result of
discrepancies between their ideal and actual self-conceptions. In general, selfdiscrepancies bring about negative emotional reactions, and the greater the
discrepancies, the stronger the negative reactions. This process is affected by selfawareness inasmuch as one must be aware of a self-discrepancy before it can bring
about a negative emotional reaction. The emotional reactions that result depend on the
nature of the self-discrepancies: discrepancies between the actual and ought selves
provoke feelings of guilt, shame, and resentment, whereas discrepancies between the
actual and ideal selves provoke feelings of disappointment, frustration, and sadness.
You might also like to view...
When the work of Mary Ainsworth and the "strange situation" experiment are examined in cultures beyond the United States of America, there is often criticism that this type of investigation
is not appropriate for assessing the attachment of children in other cultures. Which of the following does your textbook state is one such argument against this type of research in other cultures? a. Japanese infants are rarely separated from their mothers, so the use of a test that calls for separation is not valid. b. In Finland, only boys are to be separated from their parents to foster independence, while girls are taught to be very dependent. Therefore, a test that calls for separation is not valid. c. In Iran, infants are expected to be very dependent on their parents, and are praised for such behaviors. Therefore a test that calls for separation is not valid. d. In Somalia, the scarcity of resources necessitates that children be kept very close to their parents at all times. Therefore, a test that calls for separation is not valid.
Animals are used in psychology experiments because:
a. it may be unethical or illegal to use humans. b. underlying mechanisms of behavior are similar across species and may be easier to study in animals. c. psychologists are interested in animals for their own sake. d. all of these