Self-Concept, Self-Esteem, and Self-Efficacy (8A) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations
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What is locus of control?
What is locus of control?
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Belief about whether outcomes are controlled internally or externally. Influences motivation, effort, and response to setbacks.
Belief about whether outcomes are controlled internally or externally. Influences motivation, effort, and response to setbacks.
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What is self-efficacy?
What is self-efficacy?
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Belief in one’s ability to succeed at specific tasks. Task-specific confidence, not general self-worth.
Belief in one’s ability to succeed at specific tasks. Task-specific confidence, not general self-worth.
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What is identity in the context of self-concept?
What is identity in the context of self-concept?
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Roles, group memberships, and personal meanings defining the self. Multiple aspects that collectively form one's self-concept.
Roles, group memberships, and personal meanings defining the self. Multiple aspects that collectively form one's self-concept.
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What is self-efficacy?
What is self-efficacy?
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Belief in one’s ability to succeed at specific tasks. Bandura's concept focusing on confidence in specific abilities.
Belief in one’s ability to succeed at specific tasks. Bandura's concept focusing on confidence in specific abilities.
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Which locus of control is the belief that outcomes depend on luck or external forces?
Which locus of control is the belief that outcomes depend on luck or external forces?
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External locus of control. Often linked to lower self-efficacy and learned helplessness.
External locus of control. Often linked to lower self-efficacy and learned helplessness.
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Identify the construct: “I am a valuable person overall, even when I fail.”
Identify the construct: “I am a valuable person overall, even when I fail.”
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Self-esteem. Shows global worth persisting despite specific failures.
Self-esteem. Shows global worth persisting despite specific failures.
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What is the self-reference effect?
What is the self-reference effect?
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Better memory for information related to the self. Self-relevant info gets deeper processing and encoding.
Better memory for information related to the self. Self-relevant info gets deeper processing and encoding.
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Which locus of control is associated with believing outcomes depend on luck or outside forces?
Which locus of control is associated with believing outcomes depend on luck or outside forces?
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External locus of control. Belief that fate or others control outcomes.
External locus of control. Belief that fate or others control outcomes.
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Which comparison involves evaluating yourself against someone better to improve performance?
Which comparison involves evaluating yourself against someone better to improve performance?
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Upward social comparison. Comparing to superior others motivates self-improvement.
Upward social comparison. Comparing to superior others motivates self-improvement.
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What is the "I" component of the self in Mead’s theory?
What is the "I" component of the self in Mead’s theory?
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The spontaneous, impulsive, subjective self. The active, experiencing self that acts in the moment.
The spontaneous, impulsive, subjective self. The active, experiencing self that acts in the moment.
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Identify the type of comparison: comparing yourself to a worse-performing peer to feel better.
Identify the type of comparison: comparing yourself to a worse-performing peer to feel better.
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Downward social comparison. Looking to those doing worse boosts self-esteem.
Downward social comparison. Looking to those doing worse boosts self-esteem.
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What is self-serving bias?
What is self-serving bias?
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Attributing successes internally and failures externally. Protects self-esteem by taking credit but avoiding blame.
Attributing successes internally and failures externally. Protects self-esteem by taking credit but avoiding blame.
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Which comparison tends to protect self-esteem: upward or downward comparison?
Which comparison tends to protect self-esteem: upward or downward comparison?
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Downward comparison. Comparing to worse-off others maintains positive self-view.
Downward comparison. Comparing to worse-off others maintains positive self-view.
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Which comparison tends to increase motivation but may lower self-esteem: upward or downward comparison?
Which comparison tends to increase motivation but may lower self-esteem: upward or downward comparison?
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Upward comparison. Comparing to superior others can inspire but also threaten self-worth.
Upward comparison. Comparing to superior others can inspire but also threaten self-worth.
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What is social comparison theory (Festinger)?
What is social comparison theory (Festinger)?
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People evaluate themselves by comparing to others. Helps determine self-worth and abilities relative to reference groups.
People evaluate themselves by comparing to others. Helps determine self-worth and abilities relative to reference groups.
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What is the looking-glass self (Cooley)?
What is the looking-glass self (Cooley)?
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Self-concept shaped by perceived judgments of others. We see ourselves reflected through how we think others see us.
Self-concept shaped by perceived judgments of others. We see ourselves reflected through how we think others see us.
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Identify the concept: “I failed because the exam was unfair,” after poor performance.
Identify the concept: “I failed because the exam was unfair,” after poor performance.
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Self-serving bias. Blaming external factors for failure protects self-image.
Self-serving bias. Blaming external factors for failure protects self-image.
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What are Bandura’s four main sources of self-efficacy?
What are Bandura’s four main sources of self-efficacy?
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Mastery, vicarious, verbal persuasion, physiological state. Direct experience, modeling, encouragement, and emotional arousal build efficacy.
Mastery, vicarious, verbal persuasion, physiological state. Direct experience, modeling, encouragement, and emotional arousal build efficacy.
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Identify the concept: “My self-worth depends on meeting high standards and avoiding mistakes.”
Identify the concept: “My self-worth depends on meeting high standards and avoiding mistakes.”
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Contingent self-esteem. Self-worth fluctuates based on external validation and achievements.
Contingent self-esteem. Self-worth fluctuates based on external validation and achievements.
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Which locus of control is linked to believing outcomes depend on luck or powerful others: internal or external?
Which locus of control is linked to believing outcomes depend on luck or powerful others: internal or external?
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External locus of control. Can lead to passivity and reduced effort in challenging situations.
External locus of control. Can lead to passivity and reduced effort in challenging situations.
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Which locus of control is linked to believing outcomes depend on one’s actions: internal or external?
Which locus of control is linked to believing outcomes depend on one’s actions: internal or external?
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Internal locus of control. Associated with higher achievement and personal responsibility.
Internal locus of control. Associated with higher achievement and personal responsibility.
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Which term best describes the “Me” (known attributes) in William James’s theory of self?
Which term best describes the “Me” (known attributes) in William James’s theory of self?
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The Me-self. The object of self-knowledge including traits, roles, and memories.
The Me-self. The object of self-knowledge including traits, roles, and memories.
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Which term best describes the “I” (subjective agent) in William James’s theory of self?
Which term best describes the “I” (subjective agent) in William James’s theory of self?
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The I-self. The experiencing subject who thinks and acts in the present moment.
The I-self. The experiencing subject who thinks and acts in the present moment.
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What is the social comparison theory (Festinger)?
What is the social comparison theory (Festinger)?
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People evaluate themselves by comparing to others. We gauge our abilities and opinions relative to similar others.
People evaluate themselves by comparing to others. We gauge our abilities and opinions relative to similar others.
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What is the looking-glass self (Cooley)?
What is the looking-glass self (Cooley)?
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Self-concept shaped by perceived judgments of others. We see ourselves as we imagine others see us.
Self-concept shaped by perceived judgments of others. We see ourselves as we imagine others see us.
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What is self-concept in the context of MCAT psychology and sociology?
What is self-concept in the context of MCAT psychology and sociology?
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An individual’s beliefs and knowledge about the self. Encompasses one's perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about who they are.
An individual’s beliefs and knowledge about the self. Encompasses one's perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about who they are.
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Identify the locus of control: “My grade depends mostly on my effort and study strategy.”
Identify the locus of control: “My grade depends mostly on my effort and study strategy.”
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Internal locus of control. Believes personal actions determine outcomes.
Internal locus of control. Believes personal actions determine outcomes.
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What is locus of control?
What is locus of control?
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Belief about whether outcomes are controlled internally or externally. Perception of personal control versus fate/luck/others.
Belief about whether outcomes are controlled internally or externally. Perception of personal control versus fate/luck/others.
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Identify the bias: “I aced the test because I am smart; I failed because the test was unfair.”
Identify the bias: “I aced the test because I am smart; I failed because the test was unfair.”
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Self-serving bias. Classic example of attributing outcomes to favor the self.
Self-serving bias. Classic example of attributing outcomes to favor the self.
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Identify the type of comparison: comparing yourself to a better-performing peer to improve.
Identify the type of comparison: comparing yourself to a better-performing peer to improve.
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Upward social comparison. Looking to those doing better motivates self-improvement.
Upward social comparison. Looking to those doing better motivates self-improvement.
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