Self Perception Theory Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Self Perception Theory?

The Self-Perception Theory is a psychological theory that suggests that individuals come to know and understand their own behavior by observing themselves, forming an attitude or opinion based on the observations. This theory was first put forward by psychologist Daryl Bem in 1967. The basic concept of this theory is that people develop self-knowledge through observation of their own behavior in certain situations and then form opinions or attitudes towards themselves based on these observations. The Self-Perception Theory posits that people do not necessarily have direct knowledge of their own attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Rather, they infer these elements from external information such as the reactions of other people to them or feedback from tests or surveys. As a result, people’s behavior is shaped more by what others think about them than what they actually believea concept known as social comparison. An example of this process can be seen in how an individual would react if they are asked directly about their opinion on a certain issue: rather than give a direct answer, they may observe the reactions of those around them before expressing an opinion consistent with theirs. Similarly, when taking a test for which there are no correct answers given beforehand, individuals may base their answers off the responses given by others around them even if those responses are incorrect. This process allows individuals to make judgments and form attitudes without having any real knowledge about what they believe or feel; it also helps explain why some people change their opinions easily when exposed to different perspectivesthey simply adjust it based on other’s beliefs instead of making informed decisions rooted in personal experience. At its core, the Self-Perception Theory emphasizes how important social comparison is for our understanding of ourselves; it suggests that we use others as mirrors to help us define who we are and how we feel about various issues or topics even if our beliefs don’t align perfectly with theirs. Understanding this process can help us better identify our true values while recognizing when we might be influenced by external factors such as peer pressure or societal norms; it can also teach us valuable lessons about critical thinking and the importance of forming opinions after thoughtful consideration rather than just accepting what those around us believe without question.