What is self-perception theory?
Self-perception theory proposes that when internal cues about our attitudes or feelings are weak or ambiguous, we infer them by observing our own behavior and the circumstances in which it occurs, much as an outside observer would. Social psychologist Daryl Bem proposed it in the late 1960s and set it out fully in Advances in Experimental Social Psychology in 1972.
- Meaning
- We infer our attitudes from our own behavior
- Proposed by
- Daryl Bem (1967; 1972)
- When it applies
- When internal cues are weak or ambiguous
- Related effects
- Overjustification effect, foot-in-the-door
The core claim
If you cannot immediately say whether you like coffee, you might think, "I buy one every morning, so I must like it." Bem argued that we judge ourselves the same way we judge others: from what we do.
Self-perception vs cognitive dissonance
| Aspect | Cognitive dissonance theory | Self-perception theory |
|---|---|---|
| Explanation | Inconsistency causes discomfort, so we change attitudes | We infer attitudes from behavior without discomfort |
| Core process | Reducing psychological tension | Self-observation and inference |
| Best fit | Clear attitudes, large inconsistencies | Vague or weak attitudes |
Bem argued that Festinger’s famous "$1 vs $20" study could be explained by self-perception alone, without discomfort. Many researchers now see each theory as fitting different conditions.
The overjustification effect
Why can rewarding something people already enjoy make them enjoy it less? In a study by Lepper, Greene and Nisbett (1973), preschoolers who already liked drawing and were promised a reward for drawing later spent less free time drawing. From a self-perception view, the children interpreted their behavior as "I drew for the reward," which weakened their intrinsic interest.
Practical uses
- Start small: agreeing to a small request can lead people to see themselves as helpful, making larger requests easier (foot-in-the-door).
- Build habits: even ten minutes of study a day builds a self-image as "someone who studies."
- Use rewards carefully: avoid piling contingent rewards on activities people already enjoy.
See also the fundamental attribution error and self-handicapping.
Frequently asked questions
- What is self-perception theory?
- Daryl Bem’s theory that when attitudes are unclear, we infer them from our own behavior and its circumstances.
- How does it differ from cognitive dissonance?
- Dissonance theory says discomfort drives attitude change; self-perception theory says we simply infer attitudes by observing behavior.
- What is the overjustification effect?
- The drop in intrinsic interest that can follow when an external reward is given for an already enjoyable activity.
References
- Bem, D. J. (1972). Self-perception theory. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (Vol. 6, pp. 1–62). Academic Press.
- Lepper, M. R., Greene, D., & Nisbett, R. E. (1973). Undermining children’s intrinsic interest with extrinsic reward: A test of the "overjustification" hypothesis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 28(1), 129–137.