Self-perception refers to the process by which individuals interpret and make sense of their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Self-perception theory, developed by social psychologist Daryl Bem in the 1960s, proposes that individuals come to know themselves by observing their own behavior and inferring their attitudes and beliefs from that behavior (Bem, 1967a). According to self-perception theory, individuals are motivated to maintain consistency between their attitudes and behavior, and they use their own behavior as a source of information about their attitudes.
Self-perception theory has been applied to a wide range of contexts, including employee referrals (Shinnar, Young, & Meana, 2004), online gaming (Teng, 2018), and even terrorism recruitment (Guadagno et al., 2010). Research has shown that self-perception can play a role in shaping behavior, attitudes, and outcomes in these and other contexts.
One of the key strengths of self-perception theory is that it emphasizes the importance of behavior in shaping attitudes and beliefs. This approach provides a framework for understanding how individuals come to know themselves, and it has been used to explain a variety of phenomena, including cognitive dissonance, self-esteem, and the impact of social influence on behavior (Bem, 1972).
However, self-perception theory has also been subject to criticism and limitations. One criticism of self-perception theory is that it relies heavily on the assumption that individuals are aware of their own behavior and can accurately report on it. This assumption has been challenged by research demonstrating that individuals may not always be aware of the factors that influence their behavior or that their behavior is not always a reliable indicator of their attitudes (White, 1980).
Another criticism of self-perception theory is that it may not fully account for the role of emotions and affect in shaping behavior and attitudes. While self-perception theory emphasizes the importance of behavior in shaping attitudes, it does not necessarily account for the emotional and affective processes that can also influence behavior (Bem, 1967b).
Despite these criticisms, self-perception theory continues to be a valuable framework for understanding human behavior and cognition. By emphasizing the role of behavior in shaping attitudes and beliefs, it provides a useful tool for predicting and explaining behavior in a variety of contexts.
In conclusion, self-perception theory is a valuable framework for understanding how individuals come to know themselves and how their behavior and attitudes are shaped. While it has been subject to criticism and limitations, it has also been shown to be a useful tool for predicting and explaining behavior in a wide range of contexts. Further research is needed to explore the potential limitations and alternative approaches to self-perception theory, but the theory remains an important foundation for social psychology research and practice.
References
Bem, D. J. (1967a). Self-perception: An alternative interpretation of cognitive dissonance phenomena. Psychological Review, 74(3), 183–200. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0024835
Bem, D. J. (1967b). Self-perception: The dependent variable of human performance. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 2(2), 105–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/0030-5073(67)90025-6
Bem, D. J. (1972). Self-Perception Theory. Elsevier EBooks, 1–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0065-2601(08)60024-6
Guadagno, R., Lankford, A., Muscanell, N., Okdie, B., & McCallum, D. (2010). Social Influence in the online Recruitment of terrorists and terrorist Sympathizers: Implications for Social Psychology Research. Revue internationale de psychologie sociale, 23, 25-56. https://www.cairn.info/revue–2010-1-page-25.htm.
Shinnar, R. S., Young, C. A., & Meana, M. (2004). The Motivations for and Outcomes of Employee Referrals. Journal of Business and Psychology, 19(2), 271–283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-004-0552-8
Teng, C. (2018). Managing gamer relationships to enhance online gamer loyalty: The perspectives of social capital theory and self-perception theory. Computers in Human Behavior, 79, 59–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.10.024
White, P. S. (1980). Limitations on verbal reports of internal events: A refutation of Nisbett and Wilson and of Bem. Psychological Review, 87(1), 105–112. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295x.87.1.105