The Self as Cognitive Construct

The Self as Cognitive Construct

  • The self is a cognitive construct: the mental representation of who we are; a central organizing idea for thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Key Definitions of Self

  • Self: sense of personal identity and who we are as individuals (Jhangiani & Tarry 2014).
  • "I" vs. "Me" (William James):
    • "I" = the thinking, acting, feeling self.
    • "Me" = the physical characteristics and psychological capabilities that define us.

The Self: Constituents (William James)

  • The Empirical Self (Me): the things one calls mine (body, possessions, relationships, achievements) that evoke similar emotions to the body itself.
  • Constituents (Self may be divided into):
    • (a) Material Self
    • (b) Social Self
    • (c) Spiritual Self
    • (d) Pure Ego

Self-Esteem

  • Self-esteem: the subjective value one assigns to oneself.
  • Formula (as given): \text{Self-Esteem} = \frac{\text{Actual Behavior}}{\text{Pretensions}}

Humanistic Theories

  • Carl Rogers (humanistic): growth requires environment with genuineness, unconditional positive regard (acceptance), and empathy.
  • Self-Actualization (Maslow): growth toward fulfillment of the highest needs and meaning in life.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

  • Levels (from bottom to top):
    • Physiological (Breathing, Food, Water, Sleep, Homeostasis, Excretion)
    • Safety (Body safety, Employment, Resources, Morality, Family, Health, Property)
    • Love/Belonging (Friendship, Family, Sexual Intimacy)
    • Esteem (Self-esteem, Confidence, Achievement, Respect by/Others)
    • Self-Actualization (Morality, Creativity, Spontaneity, Problem Solving, Lack of Prejudice, Acceptance of Facts)

Identity, Self-Concept, and Time

  • Identity: personal characteristics, social roles, and affiliations that define who you are.
  • Self-concept: what comes to mind when asked, "Who are you?"
  • Not fixed in time: can reflect past, present, or future aspects of self.

Self-Schema and Growth

  • Self-schema: organized system of knowledge about who we are; changes as we grow and adapt; actively shapes thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
  • Examples: name cues attention, dialect cues attention, personal interests influence behavior in familiar contexts.

Brain and Self

  • Theories view self/identity as mental constructs re-created in memory.
  • Current research links self-related processes to the frontal lobe of the brain.

Freud: Structure of Personality

  • Components: Id, Ego, Superego.
  • Ego: decision-making component; operates by reason;
  • Id: instinctual, pleasure-seeking; chaotic and unconscious;
  • Superego: internalized morals and values learned from others.

Self-Awareness: Private vs Public Self

  • Private Self: inner thoughts, feelings, intentions.
  • Public Self: how we present ourselves to others; outward behavior and appearance.

Self-Awareness Schema

  • Components: Actual (basic self-concept), Ideal (hopes/wishes), Ought (safety/responsibility).

Imitating Self-Perception and Validation

  • Phrases reflecting self-view (e.g., self-praise) illustrate self-schema and possible narcissistic tendencies.

Narcissism vs Self-Esteem

  • Narcissists: feel superior and constantly compare to others; superiority implies others are inferior.
  • High self-esteem: satisfied with abilities, independent of others; seeks connection and helps others; excellence is not zero-sum.

Quick Takeaways

  • The self is a multi-faceted construct: cognitive, emotional, social, and biological.
  • Self-concept evolves with growth, relationships, and experiences.
  • Understanding the self involves considering I/Me, self-schema, and the interplay of brain processes, social context, and developmental needs.