Self- Perception

[Josh]

This is an interesting theory Doctor Kirk proposed to me earlier today. After doing some research on it, I'd have to say I agree with many of it's foundational rules.

Self-perception theory is an account of attitude change developed by psychologist, Daryl Bem. It asserts that we develop our attitudes by observing our own behavior and concluding what attitudes must have caused them.

So according to this People decide on their own future attitudes and feelings from watching themselves interact with others in various situations. They then react to these interactions by altering their personality consciously and subconsciously.

That would suggest I suppose that we have no Personality, as a species and simply change based on the expectations we want. Thoughts? Anyone agree, or disagree?

[jonbroad87]

True but even then we have a base line personality. You can change alot about yourself but there are some instinctual and baseline things that take a long time to change.

[R Windle]

I agree that this is one way to observe and change behavior. Example, if I were to look at a situation in the context of what happened and why it happened then it would be wise to see if there were an underlying negative or false belief was driving my behavior. i.e. I get angry at someone for what I perceive as a disrespectful act, I would need to ensure that I didn't have a false belief that was driving me such as "I wasn't worth receiving respect." So in this way it is true; however, this theory does very little for reinforcing good behaviors.

[dockirk]

What is "Good?" In the sense of "reinforcing good behaviors."