Psychological Perspective

Psychological Perspective of the Self

• Instructor: Ms. Janine Paula B. Oñate

Understanding the Self

• Psychological theories shape self-understanding and personal growth.

• Integral self-awareness promotes understanding of the self.

William James: The Me-Self and The I-Self

Categories of the Self

• I-Self

  • The self that is aware of its existence.

  • Reflects the thinking mind, often viewed as the pure ego.

• Me-Self

  • The empirical self, encompassing personal experiences.

  • Sub-categories:

    • Material Self: Includes belongings (body, clothes, house).

    • Social Self: Behavior in social contexts.

    • Spiritual Self: Core values, emotions, motivations, conscience.

      • Understanding this self is reached through introspection.

Carl Rogers: Real and Ideal Self

• Self-Concept: Image of oneself influenced by significant others.

• Human beings strive for Self-Fulfillment (Self-Actualization).

Self-Concept Components

• Real Self: Awareness of personal identity and capabilities.

• Ideal Self: Aspirations and goals—how one wishes to be.

  • Congruence: Closeness between real and ideal selves leads to fulfillment.

  • Incongruence: Divergence leads to dissatisfaction and anxiety.

Multiple vs. Unified Self

• Adolescents conceptualize self as multiple or unified; poses challenges.

• They grapple with identity formation through various roles and social relationships.

Donald Winnicott: True Self vs. False Self

• Self comprises a True Self and False Self.

• False Self: Masks true feelings to gain acceptance.

• True Self: Genuine feelings and identity, can fluctuate by situation.

Albert Bandura: The Self as Proactive and Agentic

• Humans are proactive agents capable of influencing experiences.

Key Features of Agency

• Intentionality: Actions purposefully executed.

• Forethought: Anticipation of consequences of actions.

• Self-Reactivity: Choices and actions regulation.

• Self-Reflectiveness: Capability to evaluate one's thoughts and actions.

Self-Efficacy

• Efficacy Beliefs: Core to agency; influences self-regulation and outlook.

• Self-efficacy affects an individual's belief in task capabilities.

Carl Jung: The Self as the Central Archetype

• The psyche develops throughout life, becoming distinct in adolescence.

Jung's Psyche Structure

• Ego: Conscious mind containing thoughts, feelings, and memories.

• Personal Unconscious: Repressed experiences.

• Collective Unconscious: Shared human experiences, containing archetypes.

Archetypes

• Persona: The social mask presented to others.

• Shadow: Repressed, darker aspects of the psyche.

• Anima/Animus: Feminine side in males and masculine side in females.

• Self: Unites all parts of the psyche.

Sigmund Freud: Construction of Self and Personality

Structural Model

• Id: Primitive instincts (pleasure principle).

• Ego: Mediates reality (reality principle).

• Superego: Moral conscience (ethics).

Ego Strength

• The ego's ability to resolve conflicts among id, ego, and superego.

• Unresolved conflicts can lead to personality problems.

Freud's Psychosexual Stages of Development

• Stages: Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital.

• Each stage presents conflicts needing resolution to advance healthy personality.

Stage Descriptions

1. Oral Stage (0-1 year): Pleasure from oral activities; fixation leads to oral personality disorders (e.g., overeating).

2. Anal Stage (1-3 years): Pleasure from controlling bodily functions; fixation may cause anal retentive or expulsive disorders.

3. Phallic Stage (3-6 years): Exploration of genitals; fixation can result in sexual behavioral problems.

4. Latency Stage (7-12 years): Sexual energy sublimated towards social interactions.

5. Genital Stage (adolescence onwards): Sexual drives focus on relationships; improper behaviors can lead to issues.

Erik Erikson: Psychosocial Stages of Development

• Understanding the self involves identity development during adolescence.

Erikson's Psychosocial Stages

• Eight stages, each characterized by a conflict to resolve for healthy development, emphasizing ego development.

• Key stages include:

  • Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 years): Experimentation with identity and roles.

  • Intimacy vs. Isolation (19-29 years): Establishing intimate relationships.

  • Generativity vs. Stagnation (30-64 years): Contributing to society.

  • Integrity vs. Despair (65 years onward): Life assessment and finding meaning.