Buenaventura, Anne Marieline C.

Reflexive Self: Synthesis

1. How would you describe the importance of understanding yourself and understanding
others through the Reflexive Self perspective? Expound.
The relevance of these models is important because as per understanding the reflexive self, it
grows through relationship with others by means of a process which involves self-efficacy, self-
image, self-concept and self-esteem of the person. Self-deception and self-discrepancy play a
significant role in maintaining a positive and true self-conception by regulating conflicting
views. We render decisions every day on the feelings, opinions and actions of the individuals
around us. Often without conscious deliberation we notice things like the subtext of a
conversation, or subtle signs of distress in another person, quickly and accurately. You must
know yourself first for you to be able to understand other people.

2. How would you relate personal growth to the development of the reflexive self? Explain.
There is more to reflexivity than thought. It can be called ‘reflection added’. That is how
reflexivity brings you back into something you are more aware of. And the knowledge flows
back into fresh concepts and innovative forms of doing stuff. The ideas of self-reflexivity begin
with the notion that improvements are produced through the perception of self and of the other.
That’s how personal growth happens.

3. Does the society make a huge impact in the development of the self? Why or why not?
Explain.
Here it is believed that an identity as personal and individualistic as one's sense of self is
influenced by the social environment in which the self-thought emerges. We have shown, among
other aspects, to this stage that human beings have nuanced and well-developed self-concepts
and usually seek to perceive themselves favorably. Of course, these more behavioral and
cognitive aspects of we aren't in a closed loop. They're strongly affected by the underlying
societal influences. The look-glass self-definition notes that much of what we consider ourselves
derives from our understanding of how others perceive us (Cooley, 1902). For eg, we may
believe we have a fantastic sense of humor, since many people have informed us, and sometimes
laugh (apparently sincerely) at our jokes. However, this proof is pure inference, and we cannot
be positive how the effect functions. Perhaps we establish our self-concept very freely of others,
and then they focus their beliefs on how we perceive each other. It was particularly necessary to
demonstrate that how we believe people see us will also influence how we see ourselves.
Buenaventura, Anne Marieline C.

Sources:
Jhangiani, R., Tarry, H., & Stangor, C. (2014, September 26). The Social Self: The Role of the
Social Situation. Retrieved from https://opentextbc.ca/socialpsychology/chapter/the-social-self-
the-role-of-the-social-situation/

McGuire, W. J., McGuire, C. V., & Cheever, J. (1986, September). The self in society: effects of
social contexts on the sense of self. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3756380

Nierenberg, C. (2017, June 2). Knowing Yourself: How to Improve Your Understanding of
Others. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/59349-knowing-yourself-helps-your-
understand-others.html