CH11: Self, Identity & Personality

Learning Objectives

11.1 Summarize developmental trends in self-concept from infancy through adulthood.
11.2 Analyze patterns of change and correlates of self-esteem over the lifespan.
11.3 Examine processes of identity development, including its influences and outcomes.
11.4 Describe ethnic-racial identity, its development, influences, and its role in adjustment.
11.5 Compare and contrast trait and psychosocial stage approaches to personality.

Self-concept is the knowledge and beliefs we have about ourselves, including our traits and characteristics.
Self-concept evolves throughout life, shifting from concrete to more complex self-descriptions.

Self-Awareness:
- Infants begin to develop self-awareness and understand their separateness from their environment.
- Researchers analyze behaviors, such as infants’ reactions to their mobility, to determine self-awareness.
Self-Recognition:
- The "rouge test" assesses self-recognition by observing infants’ reactions when they see a mark on their nose in a mirror.
- Typical signs of self-recognition emerge between 18 to 24 months.

Children describe themselves using observable traits (appearance, abilities, likes).
As they age, they incorporate emotions and attitudes into their self-concept.
Transitioning to middle childhood, children begin to recognize traits which reflect their personality.

Adolescents develop a more complex self-concept, using abstract labels and acknowledging inconsistencies in their identities.
The exploration of ideal versus actual self affects self-esteem.

Throughout adulthood, individuals refine self-concept based on life experiences, roles, and relationships.
Personality traits may categorize self-conceptions, and cognitive abilities influence self-evaluations.

Self-esteem refers to self-evaluation, feelings of worth, acceptance, and respect.
Early Childhood: Young children often demonstrate high self-esteem, but this may not reflect their actual abilities.
Middle Childhood: Self-esteem becomes more realistic and is largely influenced by social comparisons with peers.
Adolescence: Shifts in self-esteem result from cognitive development, peer relationships, and transitions into adulthood.
Adulthood: Self-esteem generally peaks in middle adulthood but may decline later in life; influenced by changing roles and personal achievements.

Identity involves the integration of self-conceptions and evaluations.
Achieving identity requires an exploration phase, leading to commitments in various identity domains.
Researchers categorize identity statuses:
- Identity Diffusion: No exploration or commitment.
- Identity Foreclosure: Commitment without exploration.
- Moratorium: Active exploration without commitment.
- Identity Achievement: Commitment after exploration.
Positive identity achievement is linked with better life outcomes.

Ethnic-racial identity relates to a sense of belonging to an ethnic or racial group and includes associated attitudes and values.
Infants typically do not comprehend race but categorize based on observable characteristics.
Awareness and internalization of race and ethnicity often evolve through interactions with family and social contexts.
Strong ethnic-racial identity can serve as a protective factor against discrimination and support socioemotional functioning.

Trait Approach: Personality traits, such as the Big 5 (openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism), are thought to be stable over time but can evolve with life experiences.
Psychosocial Stage Approach: Personality develops through stages identified by theorists like Erik Erikson, focusing on resolving specific developmental tasks throughout life.
- Critical stages include trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame, and identity vs. role confusion.
- Levinson's "Seasons of Life" highlights life structure and its evolution from young adulthood into later adulthood.

Self-concept develops importantly from infancy to adulthood, reflecting increasing complexity and appreciation of contextual factors.
Self-esteem is generally high in early childhood, becomes more nuanced in middle childhood, and stabilizes with varying patterns through adolescence into adulthood.
Identity development is lifelong, involving exploration and commitment to personal beliefs and values, affected by cultural and societal influences.
Ethnic-racial identity plays a crucial role in forming one’s sense of self in a diverse context, impacting experiences and coping with discrimination.
Personality traits reflect both inherent predispositions and adaptations to life experiences, showcasing a blend of stability and change across the lifespan.