Critically Think About Social Cognition And The Self Family

Critically Think About Social Cognition And The Self Familiarize You

Critically think about social cognition and the self. Familiarize yourself with Module 2's objectives, introduction, video, and articles. Use the articles in Module 2 as your primary reference, then use the St Leo Online Library for peer review sources and to find relevance to this week's topic. 1. Explain cognitive dissonance in your own words and give an example. 2. Explain the role and impact of self-esteem in an individual’s motivation to contribute to and achieve goals. Please cite with Peer Review Social Cognition and the Self articles Bargh, J. A., & Chartrand, T. L. (1999). The unbearable automaticity of being. American Psychologist, 54, . Stone, J., & Cooper, J. (2001). A self-standards model of cognitive dissonance. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 37, . doi:10.1006/jesp.2000.1446, Eisenberger, N. I., Inagaki, T. K., Muscatell, K. A., Haltom, K. B., & Leary, M. R. (2011). The neural sociometer: Brain mechanisms underlying state self-esteem. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 23(11), . Dijksterhuis, A. (2004). I like myself but I don't know why: Enhancing implicit self-esteem by subliminal evaluative conditioning. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86, . Neff, K. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward self. Self and Identity, 2, 85-101. DOI: 10.1080/ Videos to watch. A Lesson In Cognitive Dissonance From Lawyer to Vampire woman in Mexico

Paper For Above instruction

The exploration of social cognition and the concept of the self is pivotal in understanding human behavior and motivation. Social cognition encompasses the processes by which individuals interpret, analyze, and respond to social information, shaping their perceptions of self and others. Central to this is the concept of the self, which influences how individuals perceive their worth, regulate their behaviors, and pursue personal goals. This paper critically examines cognitive dissonance, the role of self-esteem in motivation, and integrates insights from peer-reviewed literature to provide a comprehensive understanding of these interconnected concepts.

Understanding Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance, a term coined by Leon Festinger, refers to the psychological discomfort experienced when an individual holds two or more conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes simultaneously. This discomfort motivates the individual to reduce the inconsistency, often through rationalization, denial, or altering their beliefs (Festinger, 1957). For example, a person who values health but smokes cigarettes may experience dissonance because their behavior contradicts their health-conscious beliefs. To alleviate this discomfort, they might downplay the health risks associated with smoking or justify their habit by emphasizing stress relief or social factors. The process highlights how individuals strive for internal consistency, often subconsciously, to maintain self-integrity.

The Role and Impact of Self-Esteem on Motivation

Self-esteem plays a critical role in shaping motivation and goal achievement. It reflects an individual's overall emotional evaluation of their own worth and influences their confidence and persistence in the face of challenges (Eisenberger et al., 2011). High self-esteem encourages adaptive behaviors, resilience in setbacks, and a willingness to pursue ambitious goals because individuals believe in their capability to succeed (Neff, 2003). Conversely, low self-esteem can diminish motivation, leading to avoidance, self-doubt, and a reluctance to engage in effortful tasks (Bargh & Chartrand, 1999). The neural correlates of self-esteem, such as the brain mechanisms discussed by Eisenberger et al. (2011), suggest that positive self-regard engages reward systems, reinforcing motivation. Furthermore, self-compassion, as proposed by Neff (2003), offers an alternative perspective on fostering healthy self-esteem by promoting kindness toward oneself, especially in the face of failure, thus enhancing resilience and motivation.

Interconnection of Social Cognition, Self, and Motivation

The interplay between social cognition and the self influences motivation significantly. Individuals form self-concepts based on social experiences, feedback, and internal evaluations, which in turn impact their goals and behaviors. For instance, social comparison processes can either bolster or undermine self-esteem, thereby affecting motivation levels (Dijksterhuis, 2004). The self-standards model of cognitive dissonance posits that discrepancies between actual and ideal self-standards generate tension, motivating individuals to align their behaviors with their self-visions (Stone & Cooper, 2001). Additionally, subliminal evaluative conditioning can subtly influence implicit self-esteem, fostering positive self-associations without conscious awareness (Dijksterhuis, 2004). Understanding these mechanisms provides insights into how social cognition shapes selfhood and guides motivation, with implications for interventions aiming to improve psychological well-being and behavioral outcomes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, social cognition and the self are deeply interconnected in shaping human motivation and behavior. Cognitive dissonance illustrates the internal conflict individuals seek to resolve to maintain consistency, often influencing attitudes and self-perceptions. Self-esteem, along with self-compassion, underpins motivation by affecting confidence and resilience. Recognizing the neural and psychological underpinnings of these processes allows for a more nuanced appreciation of human social behavior and provides pathways for enhancing motivation through social and cognitive strategies.

References

• Bargh, J. A., & Chartrand, T. L. (1999). The unbearable automaticity of being. American Psychologist, 54, 462-479.
• Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford University Press.
• Eisenberger, N. I., Inagaki, T. K., Muscatell, K. A., Haltom, K. B., & Leary, M. R. (2011). The neural sociometer: Brain mechanisms underlying state self-esteem. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 23(11), 3719-3729.
• Neff, K. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward self. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85-101.
• Stone, J., & Cooper, J. (2001). A self-standards model of cognitive dissonance. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 37(4), 228-243. doi:10.1006/jesp.2000.1446
• Dijksterhuis, A. (2004). I like myself but I don't know why: Enhancing implicit self-esteem by subliminal evaluative conditioning. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86(1), 345-355.