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The Social Self

How self-knowledge influences interactions and perceptions

Awe
How the Eclipse Could Inspire Awe and Connectedness

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on April 8, 2024

Solar eclipses promote prosocial outcomes—like helping others or concern for nature—by triggering awe in collective contexts, focusing people's attention outward rather than on the self.

Solar eclipses promote prosocial outcomes—like helping others or concern for nature—by triggering awe in collective contexts, focusing people's attention outward rather than on the self.

Health
Finding Joy and Resilience During Stay-at-Home Times

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on April 19, 2020

Important life lessons from stay-at-home confinement can improve well-being not only during the COVID-19 pandemic but beyond it too: enjoying time affluence, nature, and gratitude.

Important life lessons from stay-at-home confinement can improve well-being not only during the COVID-19 pandemic but beyond it too: enjoying time affluence, nature, and gratitude.

Thanksgiving a time for gratitude
Gratitude
Benefits of Gratitude: Giving Thanks Improves Our Own Joy

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on November 22, 2018

With Thanksgiving here, many people focus on family and friends while counting their blessings. Expressing gratitude is more than a Thanksgiving ritual, it improves our happiness.

With Thanksgiving here, many people focus on family and friends while counting their blessings. Expressing gratitude is more than a Thanksgiving ritual, it improves our happiness.

Motivation
New Year's Resolutions: Why Do Them Now and Publicly?

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on January 4, 2017

We often hear about why New Year's Resolutions fail, but why do we make them in January? We can leverage lessons from them to make our goal pursuit better for the rest of the year!

We often hear about why New Year's Resolutions fail, but why do we make them in January? We can leverage lessons from them to make our goal pursuit better for the rest of the year!

Health
Hugs and Warm Touches Benefit Health and Well-Being

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on August 16, 2016

Need a hug? Research shows positive interpersonal touching fights illness, increases happiness and well-being, and supports social connectedness with others.

Need a hug? Research shows positive interpersonal touching fights illness, increases happiness and well-being, and supports social connectedness with others.

Relationships
Does Warmer Weather Really Make You Happier?

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on April 4, 2016

Now that warmer weather is here, people assume greater happiness and new love will follow. However, the data indicate many of these assumptions are iffy and often simply wrong.

Now that warmer weather is here, people assume greater happiness and new love will follow. However, the data indicate many of these assumptions are iffy and often simply wrong.

Sport and Competition
The Psychology of Sports Fandom

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on July 13, 2015

Sports fan allegiances illustrate basic properties of the self, including bolstering our self-esteem, improving our belongingness with others, and justifying our belief systems. These processes reflect broader human motives that can explain a considerable amount of behavior, ranging from nationalism to vigorously defending economic and religious systems.

Sports fan allegiances illustrate basic properties of the self, including bolstering our self-esteem, improving our belongingness with others, and justifying our belief systems. These processes reflect broader human motives that can explain a considerable amount of behavior, ranging from nationalism to vigorously defending economic and religious systems.

Media
Why the New College Playoff System Won't Make Fans Happy

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on October 28, 2014

Tonight, the College Football Playoff Committee will unveil its top 25, and college football fans can celebrate the brilliance and improvement the playoff system promises. Yet in the end, most people will be unhappy with this new system because of the same motivated biases that drove their discontent with previous approaches to determine the best team in college football.

Tonight, the College Football Playoff Committee will unveil its top 25, and college football fans can celebrate the brilliance and improvement the playoff system promises. Yet in the end, most people will be unhappy with this new system because of the same motivated biases that drove their discontent with previous approaches to determine the best team in college football.

Media
New Media Reshapes Scientific Discourse: Promise, Pitfalls

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on May 30, 2014

Social media can play a considerable new role in scientific discourse and debate. As psychologists, we understand the pitfalls of catharsis, the importance of empathetic concern, and how egos are inherent in progress. Yet, social media introduces new blind spots related to these themes that we must consider to make progress in a civil, respectful, and effective fashion.

Social media can play a considerable new role in scientific discourse and debate. As psychologists, we understand the pitfalls of catharsis, the importance of empathetic concern, and how egos are inherent in progress. Yet, social media introduces new blind spots related to these themes that we must consider to make progress in a civil, respectful, and effective fashion.

Leadership
The King Holiday: Broader Reflections for Us All

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on January 20, 2014

On a day where we should all reflect on King's legacy, I am struck by how much of his vision reflected important, core principles of the psychology of the self. King's transformational leadership style and his focus on collectiveness in reducing prejudice and increasing concern for others are triumphs for us all, and these are lessons people should embrace every day.

On a day where we should all reflect on King's legacy, I am struck by how much of his vision reflected important, core principles of the psychology of the self. King's transformational leadership style and his focus on collectiveness in reducing prejudice and increasing concern for others are triumphs for us all, and these are lessons people should embrace every day.

Happiness
Denying the Self Increases Happiness

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on September 11, 2013

Having more (e.g., money, material goods) often does not lead to greater happiness and well-being. As people grow accustomed to "the good life," they often experience hedonic adaptation (they get used to the finer things and savor daily pleasures less). New research shows that self-denial fights hedonic adaptation, increasing happiness, positive feelings, and savoring.

Having more (e.g., money, material goods) often does not lead to greater happiness and well-being. As people grow accustomed to "the good life," they often experience hedonic adaptation (they get used to the finer things and savor daily pleasures less). New research shows that self-denial fights hedonic adaptation, increasing happiness, positive feelings, and savoring.

Happiness
Belongingness: Essential Bridges that Support the Self

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on August 1, 2013

Belongingness improves health and well-being, regardless of whether social connection is with people or even one's pets. Giving to others (vs. the self) improves happiness, while affirming important values increases academic belonging, improving grades and health outcomes. The self functions best when focused on social connection than on establishing one's distinctiveness.

Belongingness improves health and well-being, regardless of whether social connection is with people or even one's pets. Giving to others (vs. the self) improves happiness, while affirming important values increases academic belonging, improving grades and health outcomes. The self functions best when focused on social connection than on establishing one's distinctiveness.

Identity
How Could a Terrorist Seem So Normal?

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on April 24, 2013

Research on self-complexity shows that people can act in very inconsistent ways in different contexts. When we are unaware of this context-dependence of human actions, we end up with lots of questions (e.g., how could a quiet student be caught up in a terrorist plot) that reflect relatively simplistic assumptions about human nature.

Research on self-complexity shows that people can act in very inconsistent ways in different contexts. When we are unaware of this context-dependence of human actions, we end up with lots of questions (e.g., how could a quiet student be caught up in a terrorist plot) that reflect relatively simplistic assumptions about human nature.

Personality
Petraeus's Fall: Illusion of the "Good Man"

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on November 13, 2012

Petraeus' behavior is not as shocking as we think. Social psychological principles involving the self explain that personality is not consistent (and often context-specific) and that effective people are skilled in the art of self-presentation.

Petraeus' behavior is not as shocking as we think. Social psychological principles involving the self explain that personality is not consistent (and often context-specific) and that effective people are skilled in the art of self-presentation.