Research paper
Bem DJ. Self-perception theory. In: Berkowitz L, editor. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology. Vol 6. New York: Academic Press; 1972. p. 1-62.
Why we cite it
The foundational 62-page theoretical statement of self-perception theory, proposing that individuals infer their own attitudes, emotions, and internal states by observing their own behavior and the circumstances in which it occurs. When internal cues are weak or ambiguous, people are functionally in the same position as an outside observer — they "know" what they believe by seeing what they do. Presented as an alternative to Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory: where dissonance theory requires uncomfortable tension to drive attitude change, self-perception theory requires only behavioral self-observation. For the project, this provides the theoretical mechanism underlying identity-based behavior change: repeated healthy eating leads people to infer "I am a healthy eater," which then stabilizes future behavior. Referenced in companion 419 as the theoretical basis for why actions build identity.
About the author
– Daryl J. Bem, PhD (born 1938): Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Cornell University. BA in physics from Reed College (1960); began graduate work in physics at MIT before switching to social psychology. PhD in social psychology from the University of Michigan (1964). Faculty positions at Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, Harvard, and Cornell (from 1978, retired 2007). Developed self-perception theory as an alternative to cognitive dissonance theory. The 1972 chapter is the definitive formal statement of the theory (~5,900 citations for this chapter alone). Also known for the Exotic Becomes Erotic theory of sexual orientation and controversial research on psi phenomena. Approximately 14,000+ total Google Scholar citations.