Understanding the Self: Chapter 1 Review

Understanding the Self

• Definition of the self varies: commonly understood as “who I am” or uniqueness.
• Philosophers, sociologists, and anthropologists offer diverse perspectives on the self.
• Philosophical Perspective: Self described as individual uniqueness.
• Sociological Perspective: Self shaped by social interactions and experiences.
• Anthropological Perspective: Self as a culturally influenced idea, both individual and communal.
• Psychological Perspective: Self characteristics linked to environment and experiences.

Historical Eras of the Self

• Ancient/Cosmocentric Era (6th BC - 600 AD): Focused on cosmic understanding.
• Medieval/Theocentric Era (400 AD - 1500 AD): Centered on divine influence in understanding self.
• Modern/Anthropocentric Era (16th - 19th Century): Individual perspective gained prominence.
• Contemporary/Existential/Living Era (19th Century - Present): Focus on existence and identity.

Key Philosophers and Concepts

• Xenophanes: Critiqued Greek gods; proposed a singular, all-powerful deity beyond human traits.
• Anaximander: Introduced the concept of Apeiron, the boundless origin of all things.
• Plato: Believed in duality of body and soul; emphasized the soul as true ruler of a person.
• St. Augustine: Argued higher spiritual focus leads to happiness, while physical concerns hinder potential.

Theories of Self-Identity

• Theory of Personal Identity: Continuity of experience through memory allows identity consistency over time.
• Tabula Rasa: Concept that the mind is a blank slate at birth; knowledge is gained through experience.
• Cultural Influence: Self-concept varies widely based on societal norms, affecting different ethnic groups.

Self-Concept and Social Self

• Independent Self: Common in individualistic cultures; focuses on personal traits.
• Interdependent Self: Common in collectivist cultures; emphasizes relationships and connections.
• Stages of Self-Concept Development:
  • Language: Using symbols for communication.
  • Play: Role-playing to comprehend others.
  • Game: Following societal norms.

Psychology of the Self

• Psychology examines behavior, thoughts, and feelings.
• Cognitive psychology: Involves conscious thought and reasoning about the self.
• William James: Proposed the idea of multiple social selves shaped by interactions.
• Roy Baumeister: Argued for a unified identity despite diverse experiences.

Ideal Self vs. Real Self

• Ideal Self: Aspirations influenced by societal norms and personal interests.
• Real Self: Actual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in the present.
• Unity of Consciousness: Experiences and actions perceived as a single conscious entity.
• Contemporary psychology suggests self is composed of multiple sub-selves.

Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

• Definitions:
  • Sex: Assigned at birth based on physical traits.
  • Gender: Socially constructed roles pertaining to men and women.
  • Gender Identity: Internal sense of being male, female, both, or neither, which may differ from assigned sex.
  • Sexual Orientation: Lasting attraction to the same sex, opposite sex, or both.
• LGBTQ+ Terminology:
  • L: Lesbian
  • G: Gay
  • B: Bisexual
  • T: Transgender (identity differs from birth sex)
  • Q: Queer (questioning one's identity)
  • Other identities include intersex and asexual.

Health Considerations

• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Infections spread through sexual contact or bodily fluids, asymptomatic in many cases but contagious.