Lecture 5 - The Self PDF

The Self What is the self? What are the dimensions of the self?  The Self Your answers to this question reveal the Who are you? perceptions you have about your self How you experience being you We all have a notion of...

The Self What is the self? What are the dimensions of the self?  The Self Your answers to this question reveal the Who are you? perceptions you have about your self How you experience being you We all have a notion of something we call the “self.” The sense of self involves: Mental representations of personal experiences (memories) The person’s thought processes and awareness of such (metacognition) A sense of one’s physical body A conscious awareness of being separate from others and unique  Dimensions of the self Self-concept - cognitive component Self- image – the concrete aspects of the self Self- Congruence - ideal self/actual self Self-esteem - affective component  Self-Concept Our immediate thoughts and feelings about ourselves It develops through a combination of personal experiences, social interactions, and individual reflections, evolving over time  Self-Concept Social interactions shape our self-concept by giving us "mirrors" to see and evaluate ourselves through the lens of others' perceptions. Our self-concept is not developed in isolation, it is influenced by how we think we’re viewed by others. The Looking Glass Self Charles Cooley, 1902  Social Feedback and Self- Evaluation In new situations—such as moving to a new country, starting a new job, or Applicatio entering a new school—people are especially aware of how others might n to perceive them. Adjustmen By using feedback (or perceived t feedback) from others, individuals might adjust their behaviour and attitudes to fit in better, aiming to meet the expectations they think others have of them.  Positive Reinforcement and Self- Confidence When individuals interpret feedback from others as positive, it can reinforce Applicatio a healthy self-concept, which in turn makes it easier to adjust to a new n to setting. Adjustmen t For example, if a student feels accepted and valued by new classmates, this boosts confidence, making them more likely to engage socially and adapt successfully to their environment.  Self-Image The mental picture we have of ourselves, including our physical appearance, traits, and roles. Encompasses aspects like physical appearance (e.g., height, weight), social roles (e.g., student, friend), and characteristics (e.g., shy, confident). Heavily influenced by social feedback, personal comparisons to others, and cultural standards, often making it susceptible to change based on external factors. Self Congruence Psychologists like Carl Rogers believe that adjustment is more likely to occur when various aspects of the self are congruent Congruence = the integration of the REAL and the IDEAL selves  Self-Esteem The evaluative and affective component of self-concept Synonymous with self-worth GENERAL COMPETENCE MORAL SELF-APPROVAL LOVE WORTHINESS (Epstein, 1973)  Self - Esteem High self-esteem Low self-esteem Positive view of self Negative view of self Confidence in own abilities Lack of confidence Self acceptance Want to be someone else Not worrying about what others think Worrying about what others think Optimism Pessimism Some transitions can shake our self-esteem or even put it in crisis  Self-Esteem Across the Lifespan Self-esteem varies across people’s lives. It is high in early childhood. Low points in self-esteem are seen in the late teens and early 20s Self-esteem typically peaks when people are in their late 60s. Low self-esteem is also experienced toward the end of people’s lives.  How to boost self-esteem 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Make Identify Define Do Change changes – Be Invest in causes your areas something your proactive High don’t stay and of that expectatio Quality where situations competenc demonstrat ns friendships you feel e es your you don’t ability to belong achieve The Impact of Role models Your role model offers a version of your ideal self (Humanism) Your role model is the one who influences you through subtle behaviours (Behaviourism) Your role model is the one who is supportive and available (Social) Thought Questions that help you engage in self-reflection to enhance adjustment and growth Who have been your role models? In what ways have they influenced your identity? Were your role models similar or different to you? How did they become your role models? Do your role models know of their importance to you? The trajectory of the self The self is seen as a reflexive project for which the individual is responsible The self forms a trajectory of development from the past to the anticipated future. The life course is seen as a series of passages/transitions where the self is constantly evolving  Application to transitions How did the transition affect your self-concept? How did your self-concept affect the way you dealt with the transition? What roles did your self-image and self-esteem play during the different stages of the transition cycle? What did you learn about your ‘self’ as a result of this transition?  The JOHARI Window Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham