The Self as Cognitive Construct

A set of Q&A flashcards covering key concepts from the notes on the self, identity, self-concept, theories (James, Rogers, Maslow, Freud), self-schema, private/public self, and related ideas.

What does 'Cognitive' mean in psychology?

Relating to conscious intellectual activity such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering.

How is the self defined by Jhangiani and Tarry (2014)?

The sense of personal identity and of who we are as individuals.

According to William James, what are the 'I' and 'Me' aspects of the self?

'I' is the thinking, acting, and feeling self; 'Me' is the physical characteristics and psychological capabilities that make you who you are.

What is the Empirical Self (Me) as described by James?

The sum total of all that a person can call his own—body, possessions, family, reputation, works, and other belongings.

What are the four constituents of the Self (as per James)?

The Material Self; The Social Self ('Me'); The Spiritual Self; The Pure Ego ('I' Self).

How is Self-Esteem defined?

The subjective measure of a person's value; the ratio of actual behavior to pretensions.

What are Carl Rogers' three conditions for growth?

Genuineness (openness and self-disclosure), Accept motivation with unconditional positive regard (acceptance), and Empathy (being listened to and understood).

What does Self-Actualization refer to in Maslow’s theory?

Growth of an individual toward fulfillment of the highest needs and meaning in life.

List the basic order of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Physiological needs, Safety, Love/Belonging, Esteem, Self-Actualization.

How are Identity, Self-Concept, and Self related?

Identity comprises personal characteristics, social roles, and affiliations; Self-concept is what comes to mind when asked 'Who are you?'; Identity/Self concepts are dynamic and not fixed in one time frame.

Are Self, Identity, and Self-Concept fixed in one moment, according to the notes?

No. They can include past, present, and future aspects and change over time.

What is a Self-Schema?

An organized system of knowledge about who we are that changes as we grow and actively shapes how we see, think, and feel about things.

What cues activate self-schema according to the notes?

Hearing your name, hearing your provincial dialect, or identifying yourself as a book-lover (among others).

Which brain region is linked to self-related processing in current research?

The frontal lobe.

What are Freud’s three components of personality?

Id (innate desires/impulses), Ego (decision-making/realism), Superego (moral values learned from others).

Define the Id.

Innate desires and impulses; the pleasure-seeking, instinctual part of the psyche.

Define the Ego.

The decision-making component that mediates between the id and the superego, operating on reality.

Define the Superego.

Internalized morals and values learned from parents and society.

What is private self vs public self?

Private self includes aspects you consider private (e.g., love life); Public self includes what you show to others (achievements, etc.).

What is Activity 5: 'Who Am I?' about?

An exercise where you write about yourself and classmates write about you, then compare the two to reflect on self-perception versus others’ perceptions.

What do narcissism and high self-esteem differ in the notes?

Narcissists feel superior and rely on constant comparison to others; people with high self-esteem are secure in their abilities, value connections with others, and see excellence as non-zero-sum.