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THE SELF FROM PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

Quick overall gist (in 1 line)

Ang handout na ito explores how psychologists conceptualize the self — kung paano nagfi-form ng identity through thinking processes, social feedback, personal choices, and inner authenticity. Put simply: the self is partly mental, partly social, partly active, and sometimes split or hidden.

1) The Self as a Cognitive Construction

What it means (casual): Your self-image is not fixed — it’s built by how you perceive, interpret, and remember stuff. You constantly update your self-concept when new experiences or feedback come in. Think of the self as a mental story you keep editing.

Why this matters: Shows self = flexible — so people change when they rethink experiences or get new info. Useful kapag pinapaliwanag kung bakit someone “acts different” after a big life event.

Exam tip: Emphasize cognitive processes (perception, interpretation, memory) and use a short example (e.g., “After failing a test, Ana reinterprets the experience as ‘I need new study methods’ — her self-view changes from ‘I’m stupid’ to ‘I can improve’”).

2) William James — “I” vs “Me”

Core idea (short & simple):

  • “I” (the subject): the active, experiencing self — your thinking, feeling, and acting in the moment.

  • “Me” (the object): the reflective self — your traits, roles, and how you see yourself across time.

Casual example: In a convo you feel nervous (that’s the “I” experiencing it). Later you think “I’m an anxious person” — that’s the “Me” (a stable label).

Exam tip: If asked, define both and give an example each (real-time feeling vs enduring self-image).

3) Global Model vs Differentiated Model (and Bowen’s Differentiation of Self)

Global Model: Suggests core traits/values stay pretty consistent across situations — the “you” that shows up regardless of context (e.g., a consistently kind person).

Differentiated Model: From Murray Bowen’s ideas — focuses on differentiation of self (how you separate your thoughts from feelings and your views from others’). Two kinds:

  • Intrapsychic differentiation: distinguishing your thoughts from your emotions (so you don’t just react emotionally).

  • Interpersonal differentiation: holding your own viewpoint even within close relationships without dissolving into fusion or conflict.

Examples:

  • Intrapsychic: Choosing art over family’s expected med track because you thought it through.

  • Interpersonal: Respectfully disagreeing with a friend’s politics and still keeping the friendship.

Exam tip: Use Bowen’s terms when they ask about family/relational health and individuality vs enmeshment.

4) Carl Rogers — Real Self vs Ideal Self

Core idea (casual): People have a current self (real) and a hoped-for self (ideal). Psychological health is about how close these two are (congruence).

Examples:

  • Real self: “I’m a reliable team member who completes tasks.”

  • Ideal self: “I want to be a confident public speaker.”

Why it’s important: Big mismatch = distress (you feel like you’re failing to be your best self). Rogers emphasized growth, acceptance, and conditions of worth.

Exam tip: Mention congruence vs incongruence and give an example of ideal vs real self.

5) David Lester — Multiple Selves vs Unified Self

Core idea (short): People can show multiple selves (different personas by context) OR a unified self (coherent identity across contexts). Both are normal; the issue is how well someone integrates these aspects.

Examples: Confident at work but shy in social hangouts (multiple selves) vs someone whose values/actions are steady across life domains (unified self).

Exam tip: Use everyday contrasts to show you get the difference.

6) Donald Winnicott — True Self vs False Self

Core idea (casual):

  • True self: authentic feelings and spontaneous impulses that reflect who you really are.

  • False self: a protective persona adopted to meet expectations or avoid rejection.

Why it matters: Too much false self → emptiness, disconnection. Winnicott says a nurturing environment helps the true self flourish.

Example: Pretending to like trends just to fit in = false self. Choosing your real passion despite pressure = true self.

Exam tip: Use Winnicott when asked about authenticity, parenting, or emotional problems linked to “acting” vs “being.”

7) Albert Bandura — The Self as Proactive & Agentic

Core idea (casual): People are agents — they don’t just react to the world; they plan, act, and shape outcomes. Bandura highlights self-efficacy (belief in your ability) and agency.

Two behaviours:

  • Proactive: doing things ahead to prevent problems (e.g., forming study groups).

  • Agentic: actively choosing and directing actions to reach goals (e.g., launching a startup).

Four core properties of human agency (with quick examples):

  1. Intentionality — set goals (Luna decides to improve public speaking).

  2. Forethought — plan ahead (Luna rehearses & visualizes the speech).

  3. Self-reactiveness — monitor + adjust (she notices she speaks too fast and slows down).

  4. Self-reflection — evaluate outcomes and change (she celebrates small wins and modifies practice).

Exam tip: If Bandura appears, mention self-efficacy + the 4 agency properties with short examples.

Quick compare (one-liners you can memorize)

  • James: “I” = experiencing; “Me” = reflected identity.

  • Rogers: real vs ideal — congruence matters.

  • Winnicott: true self vs false self — authenticity vs protection.

  • Bowen (Differentiation): how much you can be yourself in family/relationships.

  • Bandura: you’re an active agent — intentional, reflective, proactive.

    Memory hacks / mnemonics (cheesy pero effective)

    • “I-Me-R-I-T-B” → I (James) — Me (James), R (Rogers), I (Intrapsychic), T (True/False — Winnicott), B (Bandura). Repeat a few times.

    • For Bandura’s 4 properties, think “I-F-S-S” = Intentionality, Forethought, Self-reactiveness, Self-reflection.