Processes that shape self-concept

The four processes / four 'selves'

• social self
• self-enhancement
• self-evaluation
• self-verification

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• Social self
• our social self consists of our personal identity, which includes attributes that make us unique in the groups we have connections to.
• Social identity theory explains how we define ourselves by our memberships, which are arranged in a hierarchy determined by our emotional attachment to the group, our minority status in the group and the status of the group itself.
• Social identities motivate people to abide by team norms, however results in people being more easily influenced by peer pressure.
• Personal identities are more motivated to speak out against the majority and less motivated to abide by team norms.

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• Self-evaluation
• Self evaluation is defined by self-esteem, self-efficacy and locus of control.
• Self esteem is the extent to which someone likes, respects and are satisfied with themselves.
• People with high self-esteem are less likely to be influenced by other people, tend to persist in spite of failure and have a higher likelihood to think logically.
• Self-efficacy is the extent to which an individual believes they have the motivation, ability, correct role perceptions and situational factors to successfully complete a job or task.
• higher self efficacy tend to have a 'can do' attitude and better self-concept.
• Locus of control is the extent to which people think they have control over their personal life events.
• Internal LOC believe their internal characteristics influence outcomes, and they have a more positive self-evaluation, better job-performance and leadership skills. They cope better with stress and are motivated by performance-based rewards.
• External LOC believe the external factors influence outcomes, in a way to protect their self concept.

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• Self enhancement
• Self enhancement is a person's inherent motivation to perceive themselves and be perceived by others in a favourable way (as competent, lucky, ethical and important).
• The positives of self-enhancement is that people tend to experience better physical and mental health and adjust better to changes in the environment.
• The negatives of self-enhancement is people tend to over-estimate future returns, undertake risky behaviours, are less financially conservative and have delayed recognition of their mistakes.

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• Self-verification
• Self-verification is an individual's inherent motivation to confirm and maintain their existing self-concept. This includes seeking feedback that is not always flattering,
• The positives include it stabilises people's self-view and provides anchors that guide actions and thoughts.
• The negatives include that people non-consciously screen out information that isn;t consistent with their self-concept. The clearer the self-concept is the less they consciously accept feedback that contradicts this self-concept. Employees are often motivated to interact with people that affirm their self-concept which affects how well they interact with their boss and team members.