Self-perception

Self-perception is a psychological theory that proposes individuals develop their attitudes by observing their own behavior and concluding what attitudes must have caused it. The theory is counterintuitive in nature, as the conventional wisdom is that attitudes come prior to behaviors. This theory was first proposed by psychologist Daryl Bem in 1972.

Overview

The Self-perception theory suggests that people develop their attitudes by observing their behavior and then concluding what attitudes must have caused it. This is contrary to the traditional attitude-behavior relationship, which suggests that attitudes come before behaviors.

According to Bem, people do not always have access to their attitudes, and in such cases, they infer them by observing their behavior and the circumstances in which their behavior occurs. This theory is similar to the Attribution theory, which suggests that people attribute their behaviors to certain causes.

Application

Self-perception theory has been applied in various fields, including psychology, marketing, and health promotion. In psychology, it has been used to explain various phenomena, such as the overjustification effect and cognitive dissonance. In marketing, it has been used to influence consumer behavior. In health promotion, it has been used to encourage healthy behaviors.

Criticism

Despite its wide application, self-perception theory has been criticized for its lack of empirical support. Some researchers argue that the theory is too simplistic and does not account for the complexity of human behavior and attitudes. Others argue that the theory is not falsifiable, as it is difficult to determine whether people are inferring their attitudes from their behavior or whether their behavior is a result of their attitudes.

See also

• Cognitive dissonance
• Overjustification effect
• Attribution theory

References

Self-perception Resources
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