Human behavior is understood through various psychological theories.
The focus of this module is on psychological theories that shape the understanding of the self.
Adolescence is a critical stage for identity development, identified by Erik Erikson as a time for identity or role confusion.
It is crucial for individuals to understand their psychological well-being to develop strengths and weaknesses.
Lack of understanding of one's psychological makeup can lead to maladjustment.
Higher understanding of the self can ease facing life's challenges, including crises such as the pandemic.
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
Interpret different psychological concepts of the self.
Compare various concepts of self and understand their interrelationships.
Assess how concepts of self influence behavioral patterns.
Apply self-concepts in personal development to enhance self-awareness.
Develop a personal behavior modification strategy for self-improvement.
Adolescence consists of various theories regarding self-understanding, identity, and personality.
Psychological theories reveal characteristics of the self and the relationships among these characteristics.
Santrock (2002) emphasizes different conceptualizations of identity based on socio-cultural contexts.
The module emphasizes psychological insights that shape self-understanding.
Adolescents must integrate different aspects of the self to achieve a comprehensive understanding.
Carl Rogers posits that self-awareness is key to understanding the self, emphasizing the unique psychological makeup of individuals.
Erikson's theory outlines the development of self-identity through eight psychosocial stages:
Trust versus Mistrust
Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt
Initiative versus Guilt
Industry versus Inferiority
Identity Formation versus Identity Confusion
A key crisis for adolescents
Intimacy versus Isolation
Generativity versus Stagnation
Integrity versus Despair
Emphasis on the ego’s development, as it lays the foundation for strengths such as love, wisdom, and care.
Freud's psychoanalytic theory introduces:
Id: Operates on pleasure-seeking.
Ego: Satisfies the id while adhering to reality.
Superego: Represents moral ideals and aims for perfection.
Unresolved conflicts among id, ego, and superego can lead to personality issues.
Freud's psychosexual stages are:
Oral Stage (Birth - 1 year)
Anal Stage (2 years)
Phallic Stage (3-6 years)
Latency Stage (7-12 years)
Genital Stage (Adolescence onwards)
Jung’s theory discusses archetypes as universal models originating in the collective unconscious:
Persona: The social identity
Shadow: The darker aspects of the psyche
Animus/Anima: The masculine and feminine sides of the self
Self: The central archetype integrating all aspects of personality.
Bandura addresses human agency:
Intentionality: Focus on goal-directed actions.
Forethought: Anticipating the consequences of actions.
Self-reactiveness: Regulating choices and motivation.
Self-reflectiveness: Examining thoughts and actions.
Self-efficacy plays a crucial role in behaviors influencing personal outcomes.
Understanding the self involves grappling with multiple selves in various contexts.
Importance of developing a unified self despite challenges in identity integration.
Rogers differentiates between:
Real Self: Actual perception and capabilities.
Ideal Self: Aspirations and goals.
Closer alignment between the two leads to greater happiness and self-fulfillment.
James proposed a division of the self into:
I-Self: The thinker and knower.
Me-Self: The empirical self related to external experiences.
Categories of the Me-Self include:
Material Self: Physical attributes and possessions.
Social Self: Behavior in social contexts.
Spiritual Self: Core values and conscience.
In modern societies, self-identity is often freely chosen rather than dictated by tradition.
Postmodernism highlights a shift towards self-identity influenced by consumption and societal standards.
Proposed by Charles Horton Cooley, it's based on individuals basing their self-image on how others perceive them.
Imagining how one appears to others.
Imagining their judgments of that appearance.
Imagining feelings about oneself based on the judgments received.
Mead suggests self-concept arises from social interaction, introducing the concepts of:
I: The spontaneous self.
Me: The reflective self influenced by societal expectations.
Preparatory Stage (0-3 years): Imitation of others.
Play Stage (3-5 years): Understanding oneself in relation to others.
Game Stage (8-9 years): Comprehending social roles and positions.
Anthropology examines how biological and cultural processes shape identity.
Culture informs self-perception and interaction with others.
Egocentric vs. Sociocentric views influence understanding of self in different societies.
Understanding the self requires exploring various theoretical perspectives across psychological and sociological frameworks. Each framework provides unique insights into how individuals construct their identities within the context of societal structures and cultural influences.
Approaches range from psychological theories of personal identity to societal impacts which create distinct self-concepts in different cultural contexts.