Glossary
Self-Perception
What is self-perception?
Self-perception is how you see yourself, including your mental and physical characteristics. This broad meaning is described in the APA Dictionary of Psychology. A self-perception can be accurate, partly accurate, or mistaken; the term does not itself establish how well you know yourself.
Examples of self-perception
Seeing yourself as a patient friend or a confident speaker are examples. A view of your own emotional reactions, such as “I become anxious in unfamiliar groups,” is another.
How Bem's self-perception theory relates
Self-perception theory proposes that we learn about some of our own attitudes and feelings by observing what we do and the circumstances in which we do it.
In Bem's account, this is especially relevant when our feelings are weak or unclear. The process partly resembles figuring out what another person thinks by watching their behavior.
Inferring a preference from behavior
If you keep choosing to read about a subject, you might conclude that it interests you. If you are reading only because it is required for an exam, the same behavior says less about your interests.
What the theory explains
The theory offers an explanation for some findings on attitude change and rewards. Bem also acknowledged that some of those findings fit other explanations.