Motivation and emotion/Book/2023/Self-discrepancy theory and emotion

Self-discrepancy theory and emotion:
In what ways does self-discrepancy help to understand emotion?

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Overview

Figure 1. Edward Tory Higgins developed the theory of Self-discrepancy

"Self-discrepancy theory proposes that specific conflicting cognitive representations of the self result in “emotional vulnerabilities" (Higgins, 1987).

Self-discrepancy theory states that individuals compare their 'actual' self to their 'ideal' and 'ought' self. The discrepancies between 'actual', 'ideal' and 'ought' are associated with emotional discomfort.

Edward Tory Higgins developed the self-discrepancy theory in 1987. He sought to show that having an internal disagreement causes emotional and psychological turmoil.

Focus Questions: What is the relationship between self-discrepancy theory and emotion How does self-discrepancy theory help us to understand emotion

Domains of the self

The self-discrepancy theory suggests three basic domains of the self:

The 'actual' self

• the actual self is your representation of the traits you believe yourself to actually possess
• it is/ can also be the traits that you believe others think you possess

The 'ideal' self

• the ideal self is the idealised version of yourself created from your life experiences.
• usually motivates change, improvement and/or achievement
• presence or absence of positive outcomes

The 'ought' self

• the ought self is the person you believe you should be or should become
• represents obligations and responsibilities
• it is the presence or absence of negative emotions

The 'ideal' and 'ought' selves act as guides by which the 'actual' self wants to be aligned

Case Study: point 1 point 2 point 3

Standpoints of the self

Figure 2. Placeholder whilst I find image

the two standpoints from which 'the self' is perceived.

own

individuals standpoint

other

standpoint of a significant other (friends, family, spouse)

Additional domain of self

• In 1999 Charles Carver further developed the theory of self-discrepancy by adding the domain of the feared self
• The 'Feared' self being what one does not desire to be.

Previous theories proving this concept

• something about how the theory developed and what came before it

Cognitive dissonance theory

• when two beliefs are inconsistent it causes the individual to experience negatively arousing cognitive conflict (dissonance)
• making the individuals want to change one of the beliefs to reduce it

the imbalance theory (Balance theory?)

• proposed by Fritz Heider
• cognitive consistency motive as a drive toward psychological balance
• urge to maintain values and beliefs overtime

Have you been paying attention?

1 The 'ideal' self is the person you believe you should become:

	True
	False

2 Who developed the theory?:

	Edward Higgins
	Charles Carver

Applications

• Procrastination
• Emotions

Cultural Considerations?

• look into cultural considerations
  • is this theory consistent across cultures or amplified? or is this just the standpoints of the self?

• does this theory work for people who are neurodivergent?
  • ties with procrastination, look at self-discrepancy theory and ADHD

Conclusion

The theory of self-discrepancy becomes applicable when addressing some of the psychological problems, individuals face with undesired self image. Self discrepancy theory inadvertently provides a means to systematically lessen negative affect associated with self discrepancies by reducing the discrepancies between the self domains in conflict with one another

See also

• Edward Tory Higgins (Wikipedia)
• Emotion (Wikiversity)
• Self-actualisation and motivation (Wikiversity)
• Self-determination theory (Wikiversity)
• Self-discrepancy theory (Wikipedia)

References

Barnett, M. D., Moore, J. M., & Harp, A. R. (2017). Who we are and how we feel: Self-discrepancy theory and specific affective states. Personality and Individual Differences, 111, 232–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.02.024

Gore, & Cross, S. E. (2014). Week 3 - Gore & Cross (2014) - Who am I becoming? a theoretical framework for understanding self-concept change. Self and Identity, 13(6), 740–764. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2014.933712

Higgins, E. T. (1987). Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect. Psychological Review, 94(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.94.3.319

Kitayama, S., & Tompson, S. (2015). Chapter two - a biosocial model of affective decision making: implications for dissonance, motivation, and culture. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 52, 71–137. sciencedirect. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.aesp.2015.04.001.

Reeve, J. (2018). Understanding motivation and emotion (7th ed., pp. 1–530). John Wiley & Sons.

Phillips, & Silvia, P. J. (2005). Self-awareness and the emotional consequences of self-discrepancies. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 31(5), 703–713. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167204271559

Turner, Oakes, P. J., Haslam, S. A., & McGarty, C. (1994). Week 3 - Turner et al 1994 - Self and collective cognition and social context - MARKED UP BY UNIT CONVENER. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 20(5), 454–463. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167294205002

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