The Self in Psychology

Study Notes

The self is a complex concept that is influenced by heredity, environment, and psychological makeup.
William James, Karen Horney, Carl Rogers, and Albert Bandura are key figures in the psychological study of the self.
The self encompasses the "knower" and the "known."

Me-self: Empirical and object-like aspects
- Material Self: Possessions (material things you own)
- Social Self: Interpersonal relationships (how you interact with others)
- Spiritual Self: One's personality, values, beliefs
I-self: "Pure ego" - the conscious, self-aware aspect
- Provides continuity and self-awareness
- Includes subjective experiences
- Often referred to as the "soul" or "mind"

Believes that a secure and healthy development stems from positive childhood experiences.
When parental care lacks in providing safety and security, individuals may develop basic hostility (anger towards parents).
This repressed hostility leads to basic anxiety - a feeling of insecurity and helplessness.
Horney highlights the impact of basic anxiety on the development of the self.
Idealized Self: A perfect and idealized image of oneself, often stemming from feelings of inferiority.
Actualized Self: The real, everyday self, often in conflict with the idealized self.
Despised Self: Negative self-image, based on feelings of worthlessness and rejection.
Real Self: The true core of the personality - potential, needs, and the desire for authenticity.

Two fundamental tendencies:
- Formative Tendency: The drive toward growth and development.
- Actualizing Tendency: The innate drive towards self-fulfillment and reaching one's potential.
Highlights the importance of subjective experience and how it shapes the self.
The self or self-concept is a unique sense of identity shaped by one's experiences.
Real Self: Reflection of one's perceived being and experiences.
Ideal Self: Who one aspires to become in the future.
There should be a balance between the Real Self and the Ideal Self for psychological well-being.

The self is proactive and agentic, influencing behavior and producing desired outcomes.
Human Agency: Core features of human self-regulation:
- Intentionality: Being aware of the consequences of one's actions.
- Forethought: Anticipating outcomes and planning ahead.
- Self-reactiveness: Motivating and self-regulating actions.
- Self-reflectiveness: Examining oneself and one's actions.
Self-efficacy: A belief in one's competence and ability to achieve desired outcomes.