Understanding the Self: Chapter 1

Philosophical Perspectives on the Self

• Name signifies individual identity and persists even after death.
• Self represents a person's essence, the core of introspection and self-development.
• Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind, helping to explain behavior and improve decision-making.
• Philosophy focuses on knowledge, reality, and existence, fostering problem-solving skills and conceptual analysis.

Key Philosophers and Their Views

• Socrates: First philosopher to explore self; advocated self-examination and the belief that an unexamined life is not worth living.
• Plato: Proposed three components of the soul: rational (intellect), spirited (emotion), and appetitive (desires).
• Augustine: Emphasized virtues and the importance of living a moral life.
• Thomas Aquinas: Adopted Aristotle's dualism of man as composed of matter ("hyle") and form ("morphe").
• René Descartes: Father of modern philosophy; distinguished between body (mechanical) and mind (thinking).
• David Hume: Introduced empiricism; defined self as a bundle of experiences derived from actions.
• Immanuel Kant: Viewed self as a problem, highlighting the necessity of interaction for self-knowledge.
• Gilbert Ryle: Suggested that self is understood through experiences and perceptions.
• Maurice Merleau-Ponty: A phenomenologist who united body, thoughts, and emotions as one entity.

Self, Society, and Culture

• Characteristics of Self:

  • Separate: Unique identity, distinct from others.
  • Self-Contained: Independent existence with personal thoughts and characteristics.
  • Consistent: Enduring personality that persists over time.
  • Unitary: Centralized thoughts and experiences focused within one individual.
  • Private: Isolated inner world, potentially clashing with external reality.

• Self and Culture: Adjustments made based on cultural values and circumstances; example includes Overseas Filipino Workers adapting to foreign employers.

• Marcel Mauss’ Faces of Self:

  • "Moi": Basic identity and biological givenness.
  • "Personne": Social behavior and expectations influenced by institutions.

• Self and Language: The mind is shaped through language and dialogues, influencing values and norms.

• Self and Family: Family influences personal behaviors and dispositions; examples include inherited manners and values.

• Self and Gender: Gender influences identity perception and societal roles; example includes traditional expectations of husband and wife.

• Self and Society: Self-concept is shaped by societal trends, influences from social media, and peer behavior; example includes cosplay culture.

Cognitive Constructs of Self

• William James' Concept of Self:

  • "I": The acting and feeling self.
  • "Me": The physical and psychological characteristics.

• Carl Rogers' Self-Schema: Collection of knowledge about oneself.

  • "I": The entity making decisions.
  • "Me": The reflective self, thoughts and feelings.

• Identity and Self-Concept: Identity comprises personal and social characteristics; self-concept is the immediate perception of oneself.

Freud's Perspective on Self

• Conceived self as influenced by interaction, consisting of:
  • ID: Instinctual desires and emotions.
  • EGO: The decision-making mediator.
  • SUPEREGO: The moral compass.

Social Influence on Self and Identity

• Self is a social product shaped by cultural, familial, and gender influences.
• Interaction with others is crucial for reinforcing self-identity.
• Social context defines personal values and importance.

Self-Awareness and Social Identity

• Self-Awareness: Ability to understand one's needs and responses.

• Self-Schema Types:

  • Actual self: Current state of being.
  • Ideal self: Aspirations and desired self-image.
  • Ought self: Perceived obligations or expectations.

• Self-Consciousness: Awareness of being observed by others, which can have both positive and negative effects on behavior.

• Group Identity: Influenced by affiliations within groups or institutions, affecting self-perception and behavior.