Unit 4: SELF AS COGNITIVE CONSTRUCT

As discussed in the previous unit, every field of study, at least in the social
sciences, have their own research, definition, and conceptualization of self and identity.
Some are similar while some specific only their field. Each field also has thousands of
research on self and identity as well as related or synonymous terms. The trend of the
lessons also seems to define the concept of the "self" from a larger context (i. e; culture
and society) down to the individual. However, it must be pointed out the modern
researches acknowledge the contributions of each field and this is not some sort of a
Nurture vs. Nature, society/culture versus Individual/brain, and other social sciences vs.
Psychology debate, psychology may focus on the individual and cognitive functions, but
it does not discount the context and other possible factors that affect the individual.

For students who take up psychology, discussions on theories, and development,

among others actually take at least one semester and there are still more to be learned
about the concept of "self".

This lesson provides an overview of the themes of psychology regarding the said
concept.

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Analyze the effects of various factors identified in psychology in the formation of

the "self".
2. Create your own definition of the "self" based on the definitions from psychology;
and
3. Evaluate the different ideas in psychology about the "self".

LESSON PROPER
Self as cognitive construct

In confidence or in an attempt to avoid further analytical discussions, a lot of people

say, "I am who I am" yet, this statement still begs the question, "if you are who you are,
then who are you that makes you who you are?"
 As mentioned earlier, there are various definitions of the "self" and other similar or
interchangeable concepts in psychology simply put, "self" is "the sense of personal
identity and of who we are as individuals (Jhangiani and Tarry 2014)."

William James (1890) was one of the earliest psychologists to study the self and
conceptualized the self as having two aspects the "I" and the "me".

The "I" is the thinking, acting, and feeling self (Gleitman, Gross, and Reisburg
2011; Hogg, and Vaughan 2010). The "me" on the other hand, is the physical
characteristics as well as psychological capabilities that makes who you are (Gleitman,
Gross, and Reisburg 2011; Hogg and Vaughan 2010). Carl Rogers's (1959) theory of
personality also used the same terms, the "I" as the one who acts and decides while tha
"me" is what you think or feel about yourself as an object (Gleitman,Gross and Reisburg
2011).

Other concept similar to self are IDENTITY is composed of personal

characteristics, social roles, and responsibilities, as well as affiliations that define who
one is (Oyserman, Elmore, and Smith 2012).

Self-concept is what basically comes to your mind when you are asked about who
you are (Oyserman, Elmore, and Smith 2012). Self-identity and self-concept are not fixed
in on-e time frame, and they are not fixed for life nor are they ever-changing at every
moment.

Carl Rogers captured this idea in his concept of self-schema or our organized
system or collection of knowledge about who we are (Gleitman, Gross, and Reisberg
2011; jhangaini and Tarry 2014). Imagine an organized list or diagram similar to the one
below.

Hobbies

Family SELF Religion

Nationality

It may also include your interest, work, course, age, name, and physical
characteristics, among others. As you grow and adapt to the changes around you, they
also change, but they are not passive receivers, they actively shape and affect how you
see, think and feel about things.
 Theories generally see the self and identity as mental construct created and
recreated in memory (Oyserman, Elmore, and Smith 2012). Current researches point to
the frontal lobe of the brain as the specific area in the brain associated with the processes
concerning the self.

Several psychologist, especially during the fields earlier development, followed

this trend of thought, looking deeper into the mind of the person to theorize about the self,
identity, self-concept, and in turn, one's personality.

The most influential of them is SIGMUND FREUD. Basically, Freud saw the self
its mental processes and ones behavior as the result of the interaction between the I.D,
EGO and the SUPEREGO.

As in the above mentioned definitions of the self, social interaction always has a
part to play in who we think we are. This is not nature vs. Nurture but instead a nature-
and--nurture perspective.

Three reasons why self and identity are social products:

1. We do not create ourselves out of nothing.

2. Whether you like to admit it or not, we actually needs others to affirm and reinforce
who we think we are, we also need them as reference points about our identity.
3. What we think is important in our social or historical context.

Two types of self that we can be aware: the private self or your internal standards
and private thoughts and feelings. The public self or your public image commonly geared
toward having a good presentation of yourself to others (Hogg and Vaughan 2010)

Self-awareness there are times, however, when we are aware of our selfconcepts
also present us with at least three other self-schema the:

ACTUAL, IDEAL, and OUGHT SELF.

ACTUAL SELF is who you are at the moment
IDEAL SELF is who you like to be.
OUGHT SELF is who you think you should be.

SELF- AWARENESS may be positive or negative depending on the circumstances

and our next course of action. It can keep you doing something dangerous. It can be too
much that we are concerned about being observed and criticized by others. It is also
known as self-consciousness (Jhangiani and Tarry 2014).
 At other times, especially with large crowds, we may experience de individuation or
"the loss of individual self-awareness and individual accountability in groups. A lot of
people will attune themselves with the emotions of their group and because the large
crowd also provides some kind of anonymity. We may lessen our self-control and act in
ways that we will not do when we are alone.

Our group identity and self-awareness also has a great impact on our self-esteem,
one of the common concepts associated with the "self". It is define our own positive or
negative perception or evaluation of ourselves (jhangiani, And Tarry 2014; Gleitman,
Gross, and Reisberg 2011).

One of the ways in which our social relationship affects our self-esteem is through
social comparison. According to the social comparison theory, we learn about ourselves,
the appropriateness of our behaviors, as well as our social status by comparing aspects
of ourselves with other people (Jhangiani, and Tarry 2014; Hogg and Vaughan 2010).

The DOWNWARD SOCIAL COMPARISON is the more common type of comparing

ourselves with others. As the name implies, we create a positive self-concept by
comparing ourselves with those who are worse off than us. (Jhangiani and Tarry 2014).
By having the advantage, we can raise our self-esteem.

The UPWARD SOCIAL COMPARISON which is comparing ourselves with those who
are better off than us (jhangiani, and Tarry 2014). While it can be a form of motivation for
some, a lot of those who do this actually felt lower self-esteem as they highlight more of
their weakness or inequities.

SOCIAL COMPARISON also entails what is called self-evaluation maintenance

theory, which states that we can feel threatened when someone out-performs us,
especially when that person is close to us (i.e., a friend or family).

Take note that this occurs not only between individuals but also among groups. Thus,
if a person‟s group is performing better and is acknowledged more than the group, then
his self-esteem may also be heightened.

Such social comparison also entails what is called self-evaluation maintenance

theory, which states that we can feel threatened when someone out-performs us,
especially when that person is close to us. In this case, we usually react in three ways:

FIRST, we distance ourselves from that person or redefine our relationship with them.
Some will resort to the silent treatment, change of friends, while some may also redefine
by being closer to that person, hoping that some association may give him a certain kind
of acknowledgement also.
 SECOND, we may also reconsider the importance of the aspect or skill in which you
were out performed.

LASTLY, we may also strengthen our resolve to improve that certain aspect of
ourselves.

However, in the attempt to increase or maintain self-esteem, some people become

narcissistic. NARCISSISM is a "trait characterized by overly high self-esteem,
selfadmiration, and self-centeredness.

Sometimes, there is a thin line between high self-esteem and narcissism and
there are a lot of test and measurements for self-esteem like the Rosenberg scale but
the issue is that the result can be affected by the desire of the person to portray herself
in a positive or advantageous way.
Name: _________________________________
Course Year: _______

ACTIVITY 1
Research and list 3 major things to boost your self-concept or self- esteem. Cite
the sources. Analyze which of those tips are more likely do back fire and make someone
conceited or narcissistic and revise them to make the statements both the helpful to the
individual as well as society in general.

ACTIVITY 2
1. It is a trait characterized by overly high self-esteem and self-centerdness.
a. Narcissism b. Venus c. Egoism
2. It entails self-evaluation.
a. Social Contrast b. Social comparison c. Social justice
3. It is comparing ourselves with those who are better than us.
a. Downward Social Comparison b. upward social comparison c. Ego
4. It is a common type of comparing ourselves with others.
a. Downward Social Comparison b. upward social comparison c. Ego
5. Other similar concept to self.
a. Identity b. culture c. Society
UNIT 5: SELF IN WESTERN AND EASTERN THOUGHT

Different cultures and varying environment tend to create different perceptions of

the self and one of the most common distinctions between cultures and people in the
Eastern-vs-Western dichotomy wherein Eastern represents Asia and Western represents
Europe and Northern America.

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Explain the concept of self as found in Asian thought;

2. Choose a representation from the Filipino self; and
3. Differentiate the concept of self according to Western through against Eastern
perspectives

LESSON PROPER
There are many sources in which you can analyze the perspective of each culture and
country about the concept of “self.” In this lesson, we will look at religious beliefs and
political philosophies that greatly influenced the mindset of each nation or culture.

First is Confucianism. It can be seen as a code of ethical conduct, of how one

should properly act according to their relationship with other people; thus it is also focused
on having a harmonious social life. Thus, identity and self-concept of the individual are
interwoven with the identity and status of his/her community or culture, sharing its pride
as well as its failures.

Eastern Self

Everyone is interconnected in a drama with specific roles. Self-cultivation: The

cultivated self in Confucianism is what some scholars call a “subdued self” wherein
personal needs are repressed [subdue] for the good of many, making Confucian society
also hierarchal for the purpose of maintaining order and balance.

Second philosophy is Taoism. Taoism was founded by Lao Tzu. Taoism is living
to the way of the Tao (Universe). However, they reject the hierarchy and strictness of
Confucianism. Taoism prefers to live a simple life. Self is not an extension of family or
community. Self is part of the universe, one of the forms and manifestations of the Tao.
The ideal self is selflessness but this is not forgetting about the self, it is living a balanced-
about prejudices and egocentric ideas and thinking about equality as well as
complementarily among humans as well as other beings.

The 3rd is Buddhism. The self is seen as an illusion, born out of ignorance, of
trying to hold and control things, or human centered needs; thus, the self is also the
source of all these suffering. Life is full of suffering and it is made up of a cycle of birth,
decay, illness, death. It is therefore our quest to forget about the self, forget the craving
of the self, break the attachments you have with the world, and to renounce the self w/c
is the cause of suffering and in doing so, attain the state of nirvana. Nirvana
(liberation)blowing out the flames of desire.

Western Self

Western Self focuses on self (Individualistic). You compare in order to be better.

You create associations and bask in the glory of that group for your self-esteem. You put
primacy on developing yourself.

By focusing on the self, they may seem to have loose associations or even loyalty
to their groups. Competition is the name of the game and they are more likely
straightforward and forceful in their communication as well as decision making. They
value equality even if they see that individual can rise above everything else. They also
promote ideals that create 'fair' competition and protect the individual.

Western and Eastern Differences

Western referred as the school of thought from Greek Philosophy. It is rooted from
Rome and Christianity. Laws are the ones that govern the behavior. It is

individualist in culture. It is all about 'I'. Tries to find self as it is the given part of the divine.
Logical, scientific, rational, and focus on ethics.

Eastern roots are from Asia. They believe that natural world does not follow laws,
it simply 'is'. It is collectivist in culture. It is all about 'We'. Drawn on people's actions and
thought as one. Trying to get rid of the false 'me' concept and find meaning in discovering
the true 'me'. Life is all about unity. The inner self must be freed.

Western and Eastern Similarities

Similarities: Both approach share a concept that a deeper understanding of reality
is possible. Influenced by the notion that there is a supreme being who guides the
mankind and provides for all he created. Believes in the concept of "god as the king of
universe"
Name: _________________________________
Course Year: _______

ACTIVITY 1

Select the correct answer.

1. It is known as noble man

a. Chun-Tzu b. Li c. Yan
2. A cultural belief that self is seen as an illusion, born out of ignorance
a. Taoism b. Confucianism c. Buddhism
3. They possess an attitude of being straightforward and forceful in communication.
a. Eastern b. Western c. Northern

ACTIVITY 2

Option 1: Make a mandala art work that represent about yourself. Then, put your
explanation at the back of the mandala.

Option 2: Create a concept map of the SELF according to Filipino culture. Provide a brief
explanation of your output. You can also cite books or researches about Filipino culture,
self, and identity to further elaborate on the topic.