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0 Defining Self

Humans have the unique ability to evaluate themselves, envision hypothetical situations, and consider different potential identities. There are 4 main sources of disparities in self-definition: 1) social roles requiring different definitions, 2) seeing oneself through others' perspectives, 3) the gap between aspirations and reality, and 4) future versus past perspectives. The document discusses theories of self-concept, its multidimensional nature, development through social interaction, and active role in shaping and maintaining one's self-image.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
73 views23 pages

0 Defining Self

Humans have the unique ability to evaluate themselves, envision hypothetical situations, and consider different potential identities. There are 4 main sources of disparities in self-definition: 1) social roles requiring different definitions, 2) seeing oneself through others' perspectives, 3) the gap between aspirations and reality, and 4) future versus past perspectives. The document discusses theories of self-concept, its multidimensional nature, development through social interaction, and active role in shaping and maintaining one's self-image.

Uploaded by

casseyareola
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Humans have distinctive self-reflexive skills (Sedikides et al.

,
2006). They are able to evaluate themselves and their current
state of affairs and to picture themselves in imaginary
situations. They can envision different answers to the
question of who they are, can be, or can become.
4 main lines of research sources of disparities in the
process of self-definition
A first source lies in the social awareness of the
individual. People generally take part in different
social contexts requiring different social roles, each
role implying a different definition of themselves
(e.g., as a mother, as a wife, in pursuit of a career).
A second source focusses on the ability to take a
social perspective, perceiving oneself through the
imaginary eyes of the other. This makes people
aware of their public appearance, which can lead to
strategic forms of impression management and self-
presentation (Oyserman, 2004).
A third source of disparate self-definitions refers to
the perceived distance between one’s aspirations
and reality. This was already mentioned by James
(1890/1950). He stated that the degree to which one
is able to realize one’s personal goals in life is an
important predictor of subjective well-being.
Individual self perception

past vs future
Future self-perspectives have a motivational
character which is clearly expressed in the concepts
of “possible selves” (Frazier & Hooker, 2006. Markus & Nurius,
1986) and “possible identities” (Oyserman & James, 2011).
The identity-deficit type of self-definition problems
is most explicitly expressed in Erikson’s notion of a
sense of identity confusion in adolescence, as
opposed to a sense of identity achievement (Erikson,
1959/1980, 1968).
“There is but one cause of human failure. And that is man’s
lack of faith in his true Self.”

William James
Among the Ancient Greeks, to “know thyself” (inscribed on the
temple of Apollo) was considered a central imperative (Norton,
1976; Pojman, 2006). Aristotle’s (350 BCE/1998 CE) conception of
eudaimonia refers to a life that is lived in truth with one’s
“daimon” (essentially one’s spirit).

Existential philosophers, such as Sartre, Kierkegaard,


Heidegger, and Buber also stressed the importance of the
authentic self in living a fulfilling life (Macquarrie, 1972). As
Kierkegaard once succinctly wrote, “to will to be that self
which one truly is, is indeed the opposite of despair”
(1849/1983, p.3).
Self Concept

Self-concept is an overarching idea we have about who we


are—physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and in
terms of any other aspects that make up who we are (Neill,
2005).
“The individual’s belief about himself or herself, including the
person’s attributes and who and what the self is.”

Roy Baumeister (1999)


…the totality of an individual’s thoughts and feelings having
reference to himself as an object.”

Rosenberg’s 1979 book on the topic; he says self-concept


vs Self-Esteem

Self-concept is not self-esteem, although self-esteem may


be a part of self-concept. Self-concept is the perception
that we have of ourselves, our answer when we ask
ourselves the question “Who am I?”
vs Self-Image

Self-image is related to self-concept but is less broad. Self-


image is how an individual sees themselves, and it does not
have to align with reality.
vs Self-Efficacy

Self-concept is a more complex construct than self-


efficacy. While self-efficacy refers to an individual’s
judgments of their own abilities, self-concept is more
general and includes both cognitive (thoughts about) and
affective (feelings about) judgments about oneself (Bong &
Clark, 1999).
vs Self-Awareness

Self-awareness also influences self-concept. It is the quality


or trait that involves conscious awareness of one’s own
thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and traits (Cherry, 2018A). To
have a fully developed self-concept (and one that is based
in reality), a person must have at least some level of self-
awareness.
Self Concept Theory
•On the broadest level, self-concept is the overall idea we
have about who we are and includes cognitive and affective
judgments about ourselves;

•Self-concept is multi-dimensional, incorporating our views


of ourselves in terms of several different aspects (e.g., social,
religious, spiritual, physical, emotional);

•It is learned, not inherent;


•It is influenced by biological and environmental factors, but
social interaction plays a big role as well;

•Self-concept develops through childhood and early


adulthood when it is more easily changed or updated;
•It can be changed in later years, but it is more of an uphill
battle since people have established ideas about who they are;

•Self-concept does not always align with reality. When it does,


our self-concept is “congruent.” When it doesn’t, our self-
concept is “incongruent.”
The theory of self-concept maintenance states that we do not
simply sit and wait for our self-concept to develop: we take an
active role in shaping our self-concept at all ages (whether we
are aware of this or not).
Although there are different theories about the processes
of self-concept maintenance, it generally concerns:
1.Our evaluations of ourselves
2.Our comparison of our actual selves with our ideal selves
3.Our actions taken to move closer to our ideal selves
(Munoz, 2012).
“Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel
most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner
voice which says, ‘This is the real me’, and when you have
found that attitude, follow it.”

William James

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