Self-Concept

Self-concept

the perception or view of oneself, including one's traits, attributes, abilities, and attitudes

Self-awareness

the establishment of an understanding of oneself that precedes self-concept

Basic Sensory Awareness

the ability to feel sensations such as hunger, discomfort, and pleasure; includes rudimentary senses of touch, taste, smell, and hearing

Primary Focus on Immediate Needs

the initial sense of self centered on fulfilling immediate physiological and emotional needs, such as hunger, comfort, and warmth

Proprioceptive feedback

sensory information from the muscles, joints, and tendons that help one to locate the position of their body in space

Differentiating between self and others

the process of recognizing oneself as distinct from other individuals

Agency

the capacity of infants to act independently and make choices, demonstrated through the 'Sticky Mittens' experiment (3-5 months)

Stranger wariness

a developmental stage where infants show fear or anxiety towards unfamiliar people, typically emerging by 7-9 months

Separation anxiety

the distress experienced by infants when separated from their primary caregivers, typically observed by 7-9 months

Joint attention

the shared focus of two individuals on an object, which increases communication and social interaction in infants

Looking glass self

the concept that individuals develop their self-concept by observing how they are perceived by others, realized by 14 months

Self-recognition

the ability to recognize oneself in a mirror or reflection, emerging around 18-24 months, often tested with the Rouge test

Fateful human self-reflexive loop

the concept of consciousness as co-consciousness, where individuals reflect on their own thoughts and actions

Play/Symbolic play

the use of imagination by children to assign new meanings or roles to objects and engage in make-believe or fantasy activities

Self-concept in preschoolers

the emerging ability of children to make choices, exert control over their actions, and assert their individuality

Theory of Mind

the ability to understand and attribute mental states, such as beliefs, intentions, desires, and emotions, to oneself and others

Cultural/social context

the environment and societal influences that affect the development of self-concept and theory of mind, particularly in children around 4 years old