Self-Development and Self-Concept in Adolescence

Self-Development and Self-Concept

• Self-concept refers to the awareness of oneself, involving the negotiation between the ideal self and the actual self.
• Ideal self is the self that one aspires to be, with characteristics similar to a mentor or a worldly figure.
• Actual self is the self that one actually sees, with characteristics developed through nurturing or born with.
• Self-concept encompasses all the behaviors evaluated in the actual self to reach the ideal self.

Actual Self vs. Ideal Self

• Actual self is built on self-knowledge, which is derived from social interactions that provide insight into how others react to us.
• Actual self is our self-image, which can be seen by others but is subjective due to our limited understanding of others' views.
• Ideal self is an idealized image developed over time based on learning, experience, and societal influences.
• Ideal self includes components of parental teachings, admired traits in others, and what is perceived as being in our best interest.

Negotiation between Actual Self and Ideal Self

• Negotiation between the two selves exists, which is complex due to numerous exchanges between them.
• Social roles are adjusted and readjusted based on social interactions from infancy to adulthood, with alignment being important.
• Incongruence, or lack of alignment, between the two selves can result in mental distress or anxiety.

Personal Effectiveness

• Personal effectiveness involves the use of all personal resources, including talents, skills, energy, and time, to achieve life goals.
• Talent is the first thing to be identified and developed to be used in a particular subject area.
• Experience includes knowledge and skills acquired through cognitive and practical activities.
• Knowledge is required for setting goals, defining action plans, and risk management.
• Skills determine whether real actions are performed in accordance with the plan and become a habit when repeated.

Skills that Increase Efficiency

• Determination involves focus without being distracted.
• Self-confidence is gained through a positive attitude and belief that manifests in speech, appearance, dressing, gait, and physical condition.
• Persistence involves keeping moving forward despite obstacles.
• Managing stress helps combat mental fatigue.
• Problem-solving involves coping with encountered problems with a lack of experience.
• Creativity involves finding ways to carry out an action.
• Generating ideas involves using new thoughts using mental images.

Strengths and Weaknesses

• Failure usually emanates from weaknesses that are not recognized or not given appropriate attention or remedy.
• Instead of giving up or having self-pity, take action, work on weaknesses, and recognize and build on talents and abilities.
• A handicap is a physical, mental, or social condition affecting a person that may limit one's ability in the affected area, but it should not be a source of discouragement.

Taking Charge of the Future

• There are three kinds of people in this world: moviegoers, actors, and directors.
• Moviegoers watch the movie of their lives, admire some parts, and criticize others, but do nothing else.
• Actors not only watch but also control a big part of their lives, can make or break a movie by portraying a character, but have no say in the overall direction of their lives.