The Self

The ABC television sitcom Black-ish explores themes of identity clash.
Story centers on the Johnson family, an upper-middle-class African American family.
- Dre Johnson (played by Anthony Anderson): successful advertising executive up for promotion as the first African American senior VP.
- Dre fears wealth may lead children to abandon their cultural heritage.
- Rainbow (played by Tracee Ellis Ross): successful mixed-race doctor with fluid views on cultural identity.
- Believes in raising children in a colorless society.
The series depicts the struggle of negotiating multiple identities.

Many experience clashes between different aspects of their identity; the Johnsons exemplify this.
Transition into young adulthood often requires reevaluation of childhood self.

The self-concept is a set of stable ideas about who a person is; also referred to as identity.
Characteristics of Self-Concept:
- Multifaceted: Comprised of various aspects, such as:
- Name: “I’m Michaela.”
- Physical/Social categories: “I am a woman.”
- Skills/Interests: “I’m artistic.”
- Relationships: “I am an uncle.”
- Self-evaluations: “I am an honest person.”
- Partly Subjective: Some details are based on objective facts (e.g., height), while others stem from personal impressions.
- Study showing that nearly all high school seniors rated themselves as “above average” (which is mathematically impossible).
- Enduring but Changeable: Self-concept develops over time; changes are typically a result of significant life events or therapy.

A model depicting four parts of self-concept:
1. Open Area: Known to self and others (e.g., name, hobbies).
2. Hidden Area: Known to self but not shared with others (e.g., insecurities).
3. Blind Area: Unknown to self but known to others (e.g., impatience).
4. Unknown Area: Not known to anyone yet (e.g., how one might handle sudden wealth).
Understanding the Johari Window assists in evaluating self-concept and communication.

Self-esteem is the subjective evaluation of one’s value and worth.
Questions to reflect on self-esteem include:
- Satisfaction with looks, accomplishments, personality, and relationships.

High Self-Esteem: Generally correlates with:
- Being more outgoing and communicative.
- Perseverance after failure.
- Better relationship initiation and perceived genuineness in relationships.
Low Self-Esteem: Can lead to:
- Social anxiety, loneliness, and depression.
- Relationship difficulties stemming from negative self-perceptions.

Variability in self-esteem among ethnic groups in the U.S.:
- African Americans report high self-esteem, while Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans report lower self-esteem relative to non-Hispanic Caucasians.
Self-esteem is highest among Hispanic American females compared to males in the same group.
Fundamentally, self-esteem interacts with interpersonal needs: control, inclusion, and affection.

Image refers to the desired perception of oneself by others.
Principles of Image Management:
- Collaborative Process: Your self-image often depends on others' perceptions.
- Multiple Identities: Different personas for various contexts (e.g., friend, employee).
- Complex Process: Competing expectations can create challenges.

Face: Desired public image; Face Needs include:
- Fellowship Face: Need to be liked by others.
- Autonomy Face: Need to maintain control without imposed reactions.
- Competence Face: Need for respect based on abilities.

Self-disclosure: The intentional act of sharing true information about oneself with others.

Intentional & Truthful: Self-disclosure must be deliberate and truthful as perceived by the individual.
Varies in Breadth & Depth: Breadth relates to the variety of topics discussed, while depth pertains to the intimacy of the conversations.
Reciprocal Nature: Generally, self-disclosure on behalf of one individual prompts reciprocation from the other.

Rejection: Potential negative responses from others.
Obligation: Risk creates pressure for reciprocation.
Hurt to Others: Self-disclosure can lead to unintentional emotional harm.
Violation of Privacy: Sharing can breach the confidentiality of mutual friends or family.