Carl Rogers: Real and Ideal Self

• The chapter discusses psychological perspectives of the self, the different theories of psychology. Also discussed are the influences, factors, and forces that shape the self.

Carl Rogers: Real and Ideal Self

• Rogers believed individuals innately strive to enhance and maintain themselves, aiming for completeness and perfection.
• Central is the view of self-concept, referring to one's thoughts and feelings about oneself, it is key in achieving self-actualization.
• The self divides into the real self (awareness of who one is) and the ideal self (perception of what one wants to be).
• The ideal self includes parental expectations, societal demands and comparisons.
• Consistency between the real and ideal self is congruence, leading to self-worth and a productive life.
• Incongruence causes distress and anxiety.
• Parents aid children in achieving congruence through unconditional positive regard or love and it allows self-actualization.
• Conditional positive regard creates an ideal self based on conditions, leading to incongruence.

Albert Bandura: Social Cognitive Theory

• Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory assumes humans can control the nature and quality of their lives, known as human agency.
• People are self-regulating, proactive, self-reflective, and self-organizing.
• Also, people have the power to influence their actions and produce desired consequences.
• Four core features of human agency:
• Intentionality: Performing acts intentionally.
• Forethought: Anticipating possible outcomes.
• Self-reactiveness: Making choices and choosing appropriate actions.
• Self-reflectiveness: Evaluating the adequacy of one's thoughts and actions.
• Self-efficacy, a crucial self-reflective mechanism, is the belief in one's ability to perform tasks.
• People with high self-efficacy are more likely to succeed.
• Self-regulation involves controlling and monitoring one's behavior.
  • Those with high self-efficacy can regulate their behavior effectively.

Erik Erikson: Psychosocial Stages of Development

• Personality develops through eight predetermined psychosocial stages.
• Each stage involves a psychosocial crisis, potentially leading to a positive or negative outcome.
• These crises involve conflicting psychological needs of the individual and societal needs.
• Successful resolution of each stage results in a healthy personality and the acquisition of basic virtues.
• Inadequate resolution reduces the ability to resolve future stages, leading to an unhealthy personality.
• The eight psychosocial stages:
• Basic Trust vs. Basic Mistrust (Infancy, 0-1 year):
• Infants rely on their primary caregiver.
• Basic trust develops if needs are met consistently.
• Basic mistrust develops if there is no connection between needs and the environment.
• Resolution leads to hope.
• Failure to resolve leads to insecurity or anxiety.
• Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Early Childhood, 1-3 years):
• Children gain autonomy when allowed to explore.
• They develop confidence and security in their abilities.
• Overdependence and feelings of shame/doubt occur if exploration is restricted.
• Autonomy means having control over one's interpersonal environment and self-control.
• Resolution leads to will, while failure leads to feelings of inadequacy.
• Initiative vs. Guilt (Play Age, 3-5 years):
• Children initiate activities and exert control through play.
• Initiative occurs when parents support exploration within limits.
• Guilt develops when parents are over-controlling.
• Purpose results from resolving this conflict.
• Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age, 6-12 years):
• Children develop a sense of industry by doing things well.
• Inferiority develops if work is insufficient.
• Competence is the basic strength acquired by using physical and cognitive abilities to solve problems.
• Identity vs. Identity Confusion (Adolescence, 12-20 years):
• Adolescents develop a sense of self by exploring various roles and setting goals.
• Success leads to a strong sense of identity.
• Failure results in identity or role confusion.
• Fidelity, or faith in one's ideology, is the basic strength acquired.
• Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood, 20-40 years):
• Young adults fuse their identity with another person without fear of losing it.
• This can only be achieved after forming a stable identity.
• Failure to achieve intimacy leads to isolation.
• Love, which is a mature devotion, is the basic strength.
• Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood, 40-60 years):
• Individuals take their place in society and assume responsibility.
• Generativity involves establishing and guiding the next generation through procreation, work, and creation.
• Failure to achieve generativity leads to stagnation or self-absorption.
• Care, or a widening commitment to take care of others, is the basic strength.
• Integrity vs. Despair (Late Adulthood, 60+):
• Individuals reflect on their lives.
• Satisfaction and pride lead to a sense of integrity.
• Regret and despair occur if life feels wasted.
• Wisdom, or informed and detached concern with life, is the basic strength.
• Wisdom helps maintain integrity.