Psychology: Self-Concept and Self-Awareness

Self-Concept

• Definition: The self-concept refers to an individual's overall perception and understanding of themselves, including their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
• Components:
  • Self-image: one's perception of their physical appearance and abilities
  • Self-esteem: one's evaluation of their own worth and value
  • Ideal self: one's aspirations and goals for themselves

Self-Awareness

• Definition: The ability to have an accurate and objective understanding of one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
• Types:
  • Private self-awareness: awareness of one's internal thoughts and feelings
  • Public self-awareness: awareness of how others perceive us
• Benefits:
  • Improved decision-making
  • Enhanced self-regulation
  • Better relationships

Self-Esteem

• Definition: The evaluation of one's own worth and value
• Types:
  • High self-esteem: positive evaluation of oneself
  • Low self-esteem: negative evaluation of oneself
• Influences:
  • Upbringing and childhood experiences
  • Social comparisons
  • Achievements and failures

Self-Regulation

• Definition: The ability to control and manage one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
• Strategies:
  • Self-monitoring: tracking one's own thoughts and behaviors
  • Self-evaluation: assessing one's own performance and progress
  • Self-reward: rewarding oneself for achievements

Theories of Self

• Psychoanalytic Theory: The self is shaped by unconscious thoughts and feelings (Freud)
• Humanistic Theory: The self is driven by a desire for self-actualization and personal growth (Rogers)
• Social Identity Theory: The self is shaped by group memberships and social roles (Tajfel and Turner)

Cultural and Social Influences on Self

• Cultural differences in self-construal:
  • Independent self: emphasizes individuality and autonomy
  • Interdependent self: emphasizes relationships and community
• Social media and self-presentation:
  • Online personas and self-representation
  • Impact on self-esteem and self-awareness

Self-Concept

• Refers to an individual's overall perception and understanding of themselves, including their thoughts, feelings, and experiences
• Components include self-image, self-esteem, and ideal self

Self-Awareness

• Ability to have an accurate and objective understanding of one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
• Types include private self-awareness (awareness of internal thoughts and feelings) and public self-awareness (awareness of how others perceive us)
• Benefits include improved decision-making, enhanced self-regulation, and better relationships

Self-Esteem

• Evaluation of one's own worth and value
• Types include high self-esteem (positive evaluation of oneself) and low self-esteem (negative evaluation of oneself)
• Influences include upbringing and childhood experiences, social comparisons, and achievements and failures

Self-Regulation

• Ability to control and manage one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
• Strategies include self-monitoring, self-evaluation, and self-reward

Theories of Self

• Psychoanalytic Theory: self shaped by unconscious thoughts and feelings (Freud)
• Humanistic Theory: self driven by desire for self-actualization and personal growth (Rogers)
• Social Identity Theory: self shaped by group memberships and social roles (Tajfel and Turner)

Cultural and Social Influences on Self

• Cultural differences in self-construal: independent self (emphasizes individuality and autonomy) vs. interdependent self (emphasizes relationships and community)
• Social media and self-presentation: online personas and self-representation, impacting self-esteem and self-awareness