Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
06:53
Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Published on: March 1, 2017
Solved paradoxes and old hats? The research needed on differentiated selves
Ilan Dar-Nimrod1, Karen Gonsalkorale1
1School of Psychology,The University of Sydney,New South Wales 2006,Australia.ilan.dar-nimrod@sydney.edu.aukaren.gonsalkorale@sydney.edu.auhttp://sydney.edu.au/science/people/ilan.dar-nimrod.phphttp://sydney.edu.au/science/people/karen.gonsalkorale.php.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|March 31, 2017
Summary
Differentiated selves do not always improve group outcomes. Distinguishing between identifiability and specialization, and considering group-situation interactions, is key to understanding their impact.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
- Group Dynamics
Background:
- The common assumption is that self-differentiation invariably enhances group performance.
- This perspective overlooks the nuanced ways individual differences manifest within teams.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the simplistic view of self-differentiation in groups.
- To differentiate between identifiability and specialization as components of self-differentiation.
- To explore the conditional influence of these components on group outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis and theoretical argumentation.
- Advocating for a group-by-situation perspective.
- Integrating individual and contextual variables for hypothesis generation.
Main Results:
- Self-differentiation's impact on group outcomes is not uniform.
- Identifiability and specialization have distinct effects.
- Group and situational factors moderate these effects.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between differentiated selves and group success is complex.
- A nuanced approach considering both individual elements (identifiability, specialization) and contextual factors is necessary.
- Future research should adopt a group-by-situation framework to uncover novel insights.
Related Concept Videos
02:57The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
02:16Self-Schemas
In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
01:20Understanding Self-Concept
The self-concept encompasses individuals' beliefs about themselves, structured through cognitive frameworks known as self-schemas. These schemas function as mental representations of specific traits or behaviors, influencing how self-relevant information is perceived, processed, and remembered. For example, individuals who are schematic for body weight are more likely to interpret routine experiences—such as dining out or shopping—through the lens of that trait. Conversely, those aschematic for...
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group effort.
01:21Role-Based Identity
Role-based identities are central to understanding how individuals navigate social environments by adopting distinct self-conceptions aligned with various societal roles. These identities are not fixed traits but are constructed through personal actions and the social feedback individuals receive in context-specific interactions. Each social role, such as student, teacher, or friend, carries a set of expectations and norms that influence how people think, feel, and behave within that...