The Social Self

How self-knowledge influences interactions and perceptions.
by Allen R. McConnell, Ph.D.

What Exactly Is the Self? Insights from Neuroscience

What is the self? Although my stock answer to this question of "the self is memory" may be correct, recent neuroscience evidence suggests that our self-concept is the product of multiple, complex memory systems. Evidence from patients ranging from amnesiacs to those suffering from Alzheimer's dementia is shedding new, important light on this age-old question. Read More

Paterno Surprise Reflects Ignoring the Power of the Situation

How could Joe Paterno, viewed as one of the few shining examples of a man who "did things right" get it so wrong and not respond better to sexual assault allegations by his own assistant coach? Repeatedly, social psychology has shown the importance of the power of the situation. In short, good people can do bad things when placed in particular circumstances. Read More

Steve Jobs's Success: Not Just Technological, but Psychological

The resignation of Apple CEO Steve Jobs provides an opportunity to reflect on the psychology underlying his success. During a speech at Stanford, Jobs demonstrated a clear and compelling understanding of human nature and how to live life. We all may not be able to be billionaires who change the world, but we can take stock in the lessons learned by those who are. Read More

Friends with Benefits: Pets Make Us Happier, Healthier

Social support is essential for well-being, but are people our only source for a sense of belongingness? Lonely people are often advised to get a dog or a cat to quell their social isolation, but do pets really can fulfill one's social needs, improving owners’ happiness, well-being, and even their physical health? A new study suggests the answer is a resounding yes! Read More

Royal Wedding: A story about ourselves as well as love

With the Royal Wedding between William and Kate later this week, many people have become enthralled with soaking up every piece of news about the nuptials and purchasing official Royal Wedding Memorabilia. As a social psychologist and someone who does not spend my free time reading checkout-line tabloids, I find myself asking "Why?" Read More

Romantic promise or problems? Clues from ourselves and others

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, people are interested in love and its assessment. What indicators in ourselves and others provide insight into issues ranging from "is my infatuation really into me?" to "should I dump this person?" Here are four phenomena that provide insights about how to identify promise or problems in our love lives. Read More

Giving really is better than receiving

During the holiday season, one custom that is shared across many religious and cultural traditions ranging from Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa is the act of giving to others. Recent scientific evidence and many influential transcendental leaders support the notion that "it is better to give than to receive." Read More

Post-election depression or elation? Don't get too distraught or jubilant!

Tuesday's midterm elections triggered a seismic shift not only in Congress but in the emotions of so many voters throughout the country as well. However, the forecasts of protracted "doom and gloom" among Democrats or "happy days are here again" among Republicans are probably too strong. Read More

Reflection critical for self-improvement

As Jews throughout the world observe Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, it is notable that many other traditions emphasize the important function of self-reflection. People involved in other traditions, such as those involved in 12-step programs at Alcoholics Anonymous or Buddhists who engage in meditation, also understand what psychological research has established: change requires self-awareness. Read More

The King made The Decision: Let The Hating begin

Once viewed with considerable admiration by a region and even by many professional basketball fans in opposing cities, LeBron James may soon discover a world not full of love. Indeed, psychological principles suggest that "LeBron Hating" may not only become a new sport in Northeast Ohio (certainly to be expected), but perhaps across the entire nation. Read More

LeBron Mania Fueled by Self-ish Concerns

With the National Basketball Association Finals in the limelight, the other intriguing NBA story has been "Will LeBron James leave the Cleveland Cavaliers?" Recently, I considered the social psychological features of why LeBron's decision is so powerful. Interestingly, this analysis implicated "the self" quite heavily. Read More

Olympic Happiness: Better to win Bronze than Silver Medals?

Much of the world's attention is glued to the Olympic games in Canada this month. Invariably, every event ends with a clock or judges' score determining who makes a trip to the podium for the playing of a national anthem. Yet often, it seems the bronze medal winner is happier than the silver medalist. Why might the 3rd place contestant be happier than someone who objectively did better? Psychological processes involving the self and how we think about the causes of our circumstances can help to explain this interesting effect. Read More

Harness Yourself to Keep Your New Year's Resolutions

January 1st typically brings a number of requisite events, including hangovers, football bowl games, and new year's resolutions. And every year, people with the very best of intentions plan to exercise more, quit smoking, save money, and lose weight. Unfortunately, most fall short. Yet, despair not.

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Managing stress during the holidays: Psychologist, heal thyself

I found myself stressed, increasingly irritable, and becoming more and more unhappy as my life felt like a rickety wagon being held together by duct tape stretched to the breaking point. How did things get so crazy? Suddenly, I accepted the call of "psychologist, heal thyself." Read More

Sportsfans seek self-esteem

This weekend saw football move into high gear, as the NFL regular season began and several big college games took place. As fans don their favorite team's uniforms, paint their faces, and affix team flags to houses and cars alike, it's a good time to ask "Why do people do these things?" Read More

ME equals MY KIDS

What does it mean when people, in social circumstances, begin equating themselves with their children? Recently, I've been struck by acquaintances whose Facebook profile pictures are their kids without them in it or by friends who answer the question "what's up with you?" with an endless list of things that their children are doing. Read More

Why the draw to Michael Jackson now?

After spending much of the past two weeks in Southern California visiting friends and seeing local as well as national coverage of Michael Jackson's death, I was struck by why so many fans came out of the woodwork expressing grief and sadness about Jackson's passing. Read More

Did everyone see me do that?

We often feel that everything we do is under a social microscope. For example, we worry that everyone will notice the awkward statement that we make during an important conference call or that everyone was focused on our appearance on a "bad hair day." Are such worries justified or are we just being too sensitive when such thoughts cross our mind? Read More

The self is typically a community of selves, not a single monolith

We often hear someone claim that a friend, lover, parent, or co-worker seems to have multiple personalities. For example, we may find ourselves asking why is Sarah assertive at work but so subservient to her boyfriend? Or we may think, how can Mike be meek around his family but so brazen with his college buddies? What should we make of people like these and what are the implications? Read More

Allen R. McConnell

Allen R. McConnell, Ph.D., is the James and Beth Lewis Professor of Psychology at Miami University. He studies the self, nonconscious processes, the psychology of pet ownership, and group stereotyping.

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