Cognitive Construction of Self

The Self as a Cognitive Construction

• Our self-awareness is shaped by cognitive processes like perception, interpretation, and memory.
• The self is dynamic and evolves through personal experiences, beliefs, and social interactions.
• Our self-concept is flexible and changes based on new information and reinterpreted experiences.

William James' Self Theory

• Two aspects of the self: "I" Self and "Me" Self
• "I" self: Experiences in the present, including thoughts, feelings, and actions.
  • Examples: Reflecting on thoughts and feelings, deciding based on values and preferences.
• "Me" self: Objective view, comprised of traits, roles, and self-perception based on past experiences and social feedback.
  • Examples: Identifying as a student, friend, sibling, recognizing physical attributes.

Global vs. Differentiated Model

• Global Model: Consistent traits, values, and self-concept across situations.
  • Personality traits and core values shape behavior consistently across diverse contexts.
  • Example: Harper demonstrates consistent kindness and patience across various social contexts.
• Differentiated Model: (Developed by Murray Bowen)
  • Intrapsychic Differentiation: Distinguishing thoughts from emotions.
    • Example: Paul chooses art despite family expectations and pursuing his own career goals.
  • Interpersonal Differentiation: Distinguishing personal experience from those of connected individuals.
    • Example: Adrian respectfully disagrees with a friend's political views without feeling the need to argue or distance.

Carl Rogers Self Theory

• Focus on personal growth and fulfillment
• Real Self vs. Ideal Self
• Real Self: One's current identity, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors based on experiences and self-reflection.
  • Example: John perceives himself as a reliable and hardworking employee based on his behaviors and self-assessment.
• Ideal Self: Aspiration, reflects goals, values, and envisioned accomplishments.
  • Example: Samantha aspires to become a skilled public speaker who delivers engaging presentations.

David Lester's Theory

• Multiple Selves: Individuals exhibit different identities or behaviors in various situations or roles.
  • Example: Julia acts confidently at work, but is reserved in social settings with friends.
• Unified Self: Cohesive identity that integrates various aspects of the self into a harmonious whole.
  • Example: Emily maintains a stable self-concept aligned with her values across different life domains.

Donald W. Winnicott's Theory

• Introduced True Self vs False Self
• True Self: Authentic and innate qualities, reflects one's core identity and genuine feelings.
  • Example: William pursues a career in music based on deep passion despite societal pressure.
• False Self: Protective persona formed in response to external pressures, expectations, or traumas.
  • Example: Oliver pretends to like certain trends to fit in with a peer group, hiding his true preferences.
• Nurturing the true self fosters well-being, excessive reliance on the false self can lead to inner conflict and distress.

Albert Bandura's Proactive and Agentic Self

• Proactive behavior: Self-initiated behavior to address problems before they arise.
  • Example: Students take the initiative to organize, prepare materials, and participate in discussions.
• Agentic behavior: Ability to control goals, actions, and destinies.
  • Example: Entrepreneurs identify opportunities, develop plans, secure funding, and launch startups.

Four Core Properties of Human Agency:

• Intentionality: Setting goals and making plans.
  • Example: Luna sets a goal to become a confident speaker and enrolls in a course to practice.
• Forethought: Planning actions based on expected outcomes.
  • Example: Luna visualizes herself delivering a speech confidently, prepares by organizing thoughts, and rehearsing.
• Self-reactiveness: Monitoring and evaluating one's behavior and emotions.
  • Example: Luna speaks too quickly and feels nervous, acknowledges this feedback and recognizes the need to improve.
• Self-reflection: Rewarding or adjusting behaviors based on self-evaluation and feedback.
  • Example: Luna practices speaking slower, uses relaxation techniques, and seeks feedback to improve.