Know thyself? Accuracy vs. Know thyself? Accuracy vs. IllusionIllusion

• Long tradition of value of self insightLong tradition of value of self insight– Greeks: Know thyselfGreeks: Know thyself– Therapeutic insightsTherapeutic insights– Self actualization movement: come to Self actualization movement: come to

terms with all facets of selfterms with all facets of self– Developmental theories (Levinson): Developmental theories (Levinson):

come to terms with illusionscome to terms with illusions

Taylor & Brown, 1986: Taylor & Brown, 1986: Illusions and well-being: Illusions and well-being: Know thyselfKnow thyself• Comparisons of depressed, low self-esteem and controlsComparisons of depressed, low self-esteem and controls

• Illusion of controlIllusion of control– Langer: lottery, 227 cardsLanger: lottery, 227 cards– Choice (8.97)Choice (8.97) Gift (1.96)Gift (1.96)

• Unrealistic Optimism (Weinstein, 1980)Unrealistic Optimism (Weinstein, 1980)– Good events more likely to happen to us than average Good events more likely to happen to us than average

peer (good job, gifted child)peer (good job, gifted child)– Bad events more likely to happen to other (disease, Bad events more likely to happen to other (disease,

robbery, gum disease)robbery, gum disease)

• Unrealistically positive views of the selfUnrealistically positive views of the self– Self, own group more desirable traits than other, out groupSelf, own group more desirable traits than other, out group

An explanation and a An explanation and a critiquecritique• Illusions Illusions mood, motivation, good mood, motivation, good

relations relations well-being well-being

• CritiquesCritiques– Not serious illusions like psychosisNot serious illusions like psychosis– Swann: Ubiquity of positive self conceptsSwann: Ubiquity of positive self concepts

•Seek truth in feedback from others, even Seek truth in feedback from others, even negativenegative

•Recall truthful information about self Recall truthful information about self