Self-Awareness Theory
Definition
Self-Awareness Theory, developed by Shelley Taylor, proposes that we don't always have an accurate understanding of why we do things. Instead, we often look to our surroundings and the actions of others to infer our own beliefs, feelings, and motivations. Essentially, we are less introspective than we think, and frequently 'read' ourselves the way we read others; by observing our behavior and then inferring what must be causing it. The theory argues that this can lead to errors in understanding ourselves because our behaviors are often influenced by situational factors, not just deep-seated personality traits. We assume internal states that explain our actions, even if those explanations aren't entirely accurate.
Example
Farah is asked to write an essay supporting a political position she doesn't actually agree with, as part of a class debate. After writing the essay, she begins to feel more positively towards that political position. According to Self Awareness Theory, Farah isn't changing her mind due to genuine conviction. Instead, she's observing herself acting as if she supports the position, and inferring that she must therefore believe in it. She’s reading her own behavior and assuming an internal state (belief) to explain it. If a friend asked her why she wrote the essay, she might genuinely believe she did so because she truly feels that way, unaware of the initial task and the influence it had on her behavior.
Why it Matters
Understanding Self-Awareness Theory is important because it highlights the fallibility of our self-understanding. It challenges the idea that we have direct, privileged access to our own minds. Recognizing that we often infer our beliefs and feelings after the fact, rather than knowing them beforehand, can help us be more critical of our own interpretations. This is particularly relevant in contexts like attitude change (like the example above), justification of effort (explaining why we put in a lot of work for something that isn't very rewarding), and understanding why we might act in ways that seem inconsistent with our values.