Glossary
Self Perception Theory
What is self-perception theory?
Self-perception theory proposes that we partly work out our attitudes and feelings by observing what we do and the circumstances in which we do it.
Daryl Bem emphasized situations in which our internal feelings are weak, ambiguous, or hard to interpret. We may then use some of the same evidence an outside observer would use.
Self-perception theory example
Suppose you often choose to help classmates with a subject and infer that you enjoy teaching it. If helping is required for a course, the behavior gives less clear evidence of that preference. The circumstances matter as well as the action.
Self-perception theory and cognitive dissonance
The theory does not say that we have no direct access to our feelings. Some findings also fit cognitive-dissonance explanations, so those findings alone cannot settle which process was responsible.
Self-perception versus self-perception theory
Self-perception is the broader idea of how someone sees themselves. Bem's theory concerns one way people infer some attitudes and feelings from their behavior.