Page 1: Self and Identity

Overview of Self and Identity

• The study of self and identity is framed around three psychological categories:

  • The Social Actor: Traditional view of the self as performing roles and behaviors in social settings.

  • The Motivated Agent: The self as a force driven by desires and goals.

  • The Autobiographical Author: The self that constructs a life narrative to make sense of one’s experiences.

The Reflexivity of Self

• Reflexivity: The ability of the self to reflect on itself, where the "I" (the knower) encounters the "Me" (the known).

• This concept has been discussed through history, notably by philosophers like Charles Taylor and psychologists like William James.

• Central Question: How does an individual know themselves?

• The process involves examining one’s past, current identity, and future aspirations.

The Social Actor

• Social Performance: Human beings act in social contexts, similar to actors on a stage. Our social engagement and the roles we play are essential to adaptation.

• Development: The self as a social actor typically emerges around 18 months of age, marked by the ability to recognize oneself in mirrors and using self-referential language.

• Emotions: Children start to express emotions associated with social acceptance, such as pride, shame, and guilt during this critical period.

• Developmental Theories: Various psychologists highlight the second year as pivotal in forming an understanding of the self.

  • Freud: Proposed that this is when a child's ego develops.

  • Erikson: Suggested this autonomous ego arises through trust and attachment experiences.

  • Mead: Argued that selfhood develops through social interactions, where others reflect back one’s identity.

• Self-Attribution: As children mature, they begin to classify themselves with traits and roles, progressing from simple to complex self-descriptions.

The Motivated Agent

• Motivation and Goals: Human behavior is driven by inner desires and goals. The motivated agent actively pursues self-chosen goals.

• Development of Theory of Mind: By around age 4, children start to understand that others have desires and motivations, which paves the way for understanding themselves in similar terms.

• This self-perception as a motivated agent solidifies during elementary school and adolescence, as personal goals become a focus of self-esteem and identity management.

• Adolescent Identity: The transition into adolescence is a time of exploring various life goals and values to create a coherent identity.

The Autobiographical Author

• Temporal Continuity: Young adults (and late adolescents) reflect on their past, shaping an integrated life story or narrative identity.

• They reconstruct their experiences to provide coherence and purpose in their lives, aligning the past with their current self and future aspirations.

• Development of Storytelling Skills: Children begin storytelling at a young age, but the ability to analyze and derive meaning from experiences typically develops in adolescence.

• Cultural Influence on Narratives: Cultural context shapes how individuals construct their life stories, often reflecting themes prevalent in their society, such as redemptive narratives prevalent in American culture.

Conclusion

• The process of self-creation involves navigating through the perspectives of social actor, motivated agent, and autobiographical author. Each stage contributes to a richer understanding of selfhood and identity.

Page 2: Key Concepts

Key Vocabulary

• Redemptive Narratives: Life stories that transition from suffering to improved state, valued in American culture and found in various forms of media.

• Reflexivity: The ability to self-reflect, essential in understanding selfhood.

• Self as Autobiographical Author: Understanding oneself as the storyteller of life events, integrating past experiences to create a cohesive narrative.

• Self as Motivated Agent: Recognizing oneself as pursuing goals and values.

• Self as Social Actor: Viewing oneself through the lens of social roles and traits.

• Self-Esteem: The personal evaluation of worthiness, impacted by goal achievement.

• Social Reputation: The perception individuals hold regarding their traits and roles.

• Age 5-to-7 Shift: Developmental transition in childhood that results in a more goal-directed and intentional approach to activities.

• Theory of Mind: The ability to comprehend that others possess desires and beliefs that motivate their actions.