Week 8: sense of self, self-perception self-esteem and theory of mind

What is the sense of self?

It is the awareness of oneself as a separate and unique individual, differentiated from others.

What is the individual self?

Aspects that make someone unique, like personality traits (e.g., confident, shy).

What is the relational self?

Understanding oneself in the context of relationships (e.g., parent, sibling, friend).

What is the collective self?

Concept of the self within a group, such as ethnicity, nationality, or gender identity.

Origins of Self-Concept

Begins in early infancy

18-months-old: May gaze at self in mirror, but do not yet recognize the reflection as self

Before 2 years: Begin to recognize their own image

At around 2 years: Exhibit self-recognition in the here and now

Children typically demonstrate remembrance of past self-images at around 4 years of age

What factors influence a child's sense of self?

Culture, (dis)abilities, gender, family (parenting styles, father involvement), and peers all shape a child's self-concept.

How does culture influence sense of self?

Their values and norms shape how children describe themselves

In individualistic cultures like the U.S, children may say "I am smart" to promote a positive self-view.

In collectivist cultures like Japan, children focus more on being hardworking and respectful, emphasizing group harmony over self-promotion

How do (dis)abilities affect sense of self?

May demonstrate delays in self-recognition and emotional responses/processing of emotions

How does gender impact sense of self?

In adolescence, girls often have lower self-esteem, while boys usually have higher self-esteem.

This is influenced by societal expectations and gender roles

How does parenting influence sense of self?

Supportive, affectionate, and involved parenting boosts self-esteem. Father involvement also plays a key role.

How do peers influence sense of self ?

Peers increasingly impact self-esteem, shaping how children see themselves in comparison to others.

What is self-esteem?

how positively or negatively a child views themselves in comparison to others.

Develop domain‐specific self‐perceptions such as academics, athletics, and appearance

What are characteristics of high self-esteem in children?

They view themselves as competent and capable, and feel proud of who they are.

What are characteristics of low self-esteem in children?

They view themselves as inadequate and inferior to others.

Does praising children for everything boost self-esteem?

No. Overpraising can lead to fear of failure and avoidance of difficult tasks.

How can adults support children's self-esteem effectively?

Foster a growth mindset, give specific and sincere praise, and focus on effort and problem-solving strategies.

What is knowledge of others?

It involves understanding that others have intentions, goals, and social norms—essential for social development.

(KOO) At what age do children begin to understand intentional actions?

Around age 1, children begin to recognize that others' actions are intentional and goal-directed.

(KOO) What is joint attention, and when does it appear?

Joint attention (shared focus on an object/event) emerges shortly after age 1.

It's a key part of social learning.

(KOO) When do children begin to recognize social norms?

Around 18 months.

(KOO)At what age can children describe routines and social expectations?

By around age 3.

What is Theory of Mind (ToM)?

The understanding that other people have thoughts, beliefs, and feelings different from one's own.

Why is Theory of Mind important?

It enables children to take another person's perspective and understand social interactions more effectively.

What influences a child's understanding of others?

Parents, siblings, peers, and cultural context all shape how children understand and evaluate others.

How does culture affect social understanding?

Cultural norms influence how children interpret and describe the behavior of others.