UTS_-_Chapter_1-_Lesson_3_PDF

Lesson 3: The Self as Cognitive Construct

Lesson Objectives

• Identify different ideas in psychology about the "self".

• Create a personal definition of the "self" based on psychological definitions.

• Analyze various psychological factors affecting the formation of the "self".

Introduction

• Psychological perspectives on the self and identity tend to vary, with some overlaps between fields.

• Modern research recognizes contributions from various fields, moving away from the nurture vs. nature debate.

• Psychology focuses on the individual while considering contextual factors.

• The concept of "self" is explored through various themes in psychology.

Defining the Self: Perspectives on Self and Identity

Key Concepts

• Self: Personal identity and awareness of individuality (Jhangiani and Tarry, 2014).

• William James's Aspects of Self:

• "I": The acting, thinking, and feeling self.

• "Me": Physical and psychological characteristics defining identity.

• Carl Rogers's Theory:

• Similar separation of self: "I" as the agent, and "me" as the object of the self.

• Identity and Self-Concept:

• Identity: A combination of personal characteristics and social roles (Oyserman, Elmore, and Smith, 2012).

• Self-Concept: Immediate knowledge about oneself in response to the question "Who are you?".

Changeability of Self, Identity, and Self-Concept

• Self-concept is not fixed; it can change based on life stages and experiences.

• Metaphor of malleable metal or water to describe the adaptable nature of self-concept.

• Self-Schema: Organized knowledge about the self that affects perception and feelings (Gleitman, Gross, and Reisberg, 2011).

The Role of Social Interaction in Self Development

Importance of Context

• Society plays an essential role in forming one's self-concept.

• Individuals are influenced by societal expectations and cultural norms.

• Humans need social interactions to affirm their identity.

Symbolic Interactionism (G.H. Mead)

• Argues the self is created through social interactions.

• Self and identity are deemed products of social contexts:

1. Identity foundations formed by societal influences.

2. Reliance on others for self-definition.

3. Social history impacts self-expectations.

Self-Awareness and Self-Concept

Types of Self-Awareness

• Private Self: Internal standards and thoughts.

• Public Self: The image presented to others.

• Self-Schema Types: Actual, Ideal, and Ought self:

• Actual: Current state.

• Ideal: Future aspirations.

• Ought: Societal expectations.

Impact of Self-Awareness

• Positive effects can prevent risky behaviors and improve time management.

• Negative impacts lead to self-consciousness and potential deindividuation in large groups.

Social Comparison and Self-Esteem

Theories on Social Comparison

• Downward Social Comparison: Enhancing self-esteem by comparing to those worse off.

• Upward Social Comparison: Can lower self-esteem by comparing to those better off.

• Self-Evaluation Maintenance Theory: Responses to being outperformed by close individuals.

  • Distance oneself, redefine relationships, or improve oneself.

Narcissism

• Defined as self-admiration and focus on external validation (Jhangiani and Tarry, 2014).

• The fine line between healthy self-esteem and narcissism.

• Encourages self-improvement rather than mere self-flattery.

Conclusions on Self-Esteem

• Self-esteem correlates with positive attributes but isn’t the sole determinant of a healthy self-view.

• High self-esteem can lead to outgoing behavior but also to disregard for non-conforming aspects.

• Backing self-esteem improvement with evidenced behaviors rather than superficial measures is crucial.

Application and Assessment

• Conduct personal research to identify ten strategies to boost self-esteem.

• Analyze potential for strategies to backfire into narcissism, revising as necessary for broader societal benefits.