Cognitive Construction of Self

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Questions and Answers

What does the 'I' self represent in William James' Self Theory?

The subconscious mind that drives behavior

The enduring self-image shaped by social feedback

The objective part composed of traits and roles

The experiences and immediate awareness of oneself (correct)

Which of the following best describes the 'Me' self?

It is the subjective aspect of self-awareness

It represents traits and roles formed from past experiences (correct)

It changes frequently due to new experiences

It is primarily influenced by subconscious thoughts

What does the global model emphasize regarding self-concept?

Self-perception is highly variable and influenced by current environments

Traits and values are consistent across different cultural contexts (correct)

Self-concept is entirely shaped by cultural differences

The unique experiences of individuals are paramount in defining self

How does the cognitive construction theory perceive self-awareness?

As dynamic and evolving through interactions and experiences Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best captures the essence of self-concept according to the discussed psychological perspectives?

It is a flexible construct shaped by personal beliefs and experiences Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the 'I' self compared to the 'Me' self?

It encompasses live reactions and immediate awareness Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the self does the differentiated model study focus on?

Unique characteristics within cultural contexts Signup and view all the answers

William James' theory suggests that self-perception is influenced by which of the following?

Social feedback and personal history Signup and view all the answers

What does the ideal self represent?

Our highest aspirations and goals for personal growth Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario best illustrates the concept of multiple selves?

Julia who acts confidently at work but is reserved with friends Signup and view all the answers

What does the unified self emphasize?

A cohesive identity that integrates various self-aspects Signup and view all the answers

Which best defines the true self according to Winnicott?

The authentic and innate qualities of an individual Signup and view all the answers

What is the false self according to Winnicott’s theory?

A constructed identity aimed at pleasing others Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Carl Rogers' Self Theory?

Understanding the balance between real self and ideal self Signup and view all the answers

In which context does the concept of ideal self provide the most utility?

Setting long-term goals for personal growth Signup and view all the answers

What does intrapsychic differentiation primarily involve?

Distinguishing between thoughts and emotions Signup and view all the answers

David Lester's theory emphasizes which of the following ideas?

Human behavior can be understood through the lens of multiple identities Signup and view all the answers

How does interpersonal differentiation affect relationships?

It allows individuals to maintain their individuality while nurturing connections. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding self-concept is true?

It can vary significantly across different life domains. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the real self according to Carl Rogers?

The current identity based on personal beliefs and experiences Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of personality is illustrated by Harper's behavior?

A stable demonstration of kindness and patience Signup and view all the answers

Which example best represents Paul's intrapsychic differentiation?

Pursuing a career in art instead of medicine based on personal desire Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome of a lack of differentiation in relationships?

Emotional dependence and conflict avoidance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects the relationship between real self and ideal self?

A divergence between the real self and ideal self can lead to dissatisfaction. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'false self' refer to?

A persona formed to cope with external pressures Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes proactive behavior?

Planning and taking action before issues arise Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of intentionality in human agency?

It involves making plans to achieve specific goals Signup and view all the answers

Which example best illustrates agentic behavior?

An entrepreneur launching a startup after identifying a market opportunity Signup and view all the answers

What potential consequence can arise from excessive reliance on the false self?

Emotional distress and inner conflict Signup and view all the answers

How does Bandura's concept of human agency differ from passivity?

It emphasizes active participation and control in one's life Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a core property of human agency?

Passivity Signup and view all the answers

Why is the distinction between true self and false self important for psychological well-being?

It emphasizes nurturing the authentic identity Signup and view all the answers

What does forethought involve in the context of public speaking?

Planning actions based on expected outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What type of planning is indicated by Luna visualizing her speeches before presenting?

Strategic forethought Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of self-reflection in improving public speaking skills?

To address challenges and adjust behaviors based on feedback Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Luna's approach to improving her public speaking after receiving feedback?

She incorporates feedback to adjust her pacing and manage anxiety. Signup and view all the answers

How does self-reactiveness manifest during presentations?

By noticing and evaluating one's behavior during a presentation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions indicates self-reactiveness during Luna's first presentation?

Acknowledging she feels nervous and speaks too quickly Signup and view all the answers

What does self-reflection ultimately help Luna achieve in her public speaking journey?

Acknowledgment of progress and necessary adjustments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions would best exemplify forethought in public speaking according to the context provided?

Rehearsing her speech multiple times beforehand Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

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Description

Explore the dynamic processes that shape our self-concept through cognitive interpretations, personal experiences, and social interactions. This quiz covers William James' Self Theory, highlighting the distinctions between the 'I' and 'Me' selves, along with the concepts of global and differentiated self models.