Reference no: EM132635474

Working Self-Concept

Discussion 1: Describe what working self-concept is according to literature. How we identify ourselves can change from situation to situation. The aspects of the self that are currently activated can influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors; this is our working self-concept. Discuss how people tend to shift the focus of the self in different situations. For example, while you are at school your student-self is activated, but while you are with your friends, your friend-self is activated. You are likely to behave differently while at school than while with your friends, your family, or coworkers. In addition, you might act differently with certain friends than you do with others. This can happen when someone has different circles of friends (e.g., friends they do sports with, friends they go to the theater with, friends from work, etc.).

Construal Level

Discussion 2: Discuss how different people can view the same behavior at different levels of abstraction. For example, asking someone in class why they are here might elicit a variety of responses (e.g., watching the lecture, learning about social psychology, getting a degree, or preparing for a career). The different levels represent different places in the goal hierarchy, with the concrete level focusing more on how an action is accomplished and the more abstract level focusing on why the action is performed. Considering actions in concrete terms can help identify problems, but abstract goals help us to make sense of our experiences. Individuals are also capable of changing the level at which they view their actions, which could potentially be beneficial if someone wants to identify problems (focus on the concrete) or make sense of an experience (focus on the abstract).

Different Cultures

Discussion 3: Individuals tend to differ in their self-concept based on individualistic and collectivist ideals of the culture. Examine whether this would mean that individuals would be different had they been born in a different culture. We tend to see ourselves as agents of our own concept; however, how much of our notion of the "self" comes from the culture around us?