PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF

Theories of Self Development

Theorists
1. Sigmund Freud (Psychoanalysis)
2. Albert Bandura (Social Cognitive Theory): Proactive and Agentic Self
3. William James (I-Self and Me-Self):
4. Carl Rogers (Real and Ideal Self)
5. D.W. Winnicott: False Self / True Self
6. Piaget: Stages of Cognitive Development
7. Harter’s Self-Development Concept
8. Allport’s Personality Theory: “personality trait” – essential characteristic
9. Eric Berne: Transactional Analysis
10. Gregg Henriques: Experiential, Private, Public Domains
11. Carl Jung

Self-Concepts:
1. Multiple Selves vs Unified Selves
2. Self-Esteem and Self Efficacy
3. Individualistic and Collective Self
1) Sigmund Freud (Psychoanalaysis): Id, Ego, Super Ego
(Frando, p.52)

2) Albert Bandura (Social Cognitive Theory): (Frando,

p.60)
human agency: intentionality, forethought, self-
reactiveness, self-reflection
 personal, proxy, collective

3) William James (Me-I): (Otig, p.38)

4) Carl Rogers (Real and Ideal Self), (Palean, p.
54-55, Otig, p. 41)
Self-Concept = self-schemas (past
experiences, personality traits, abilities,
physical features, values, goals, social roles,
own observations , feedback from others
all behaviour is motivated by self-
actualization tendencies which drive you to
reach your full potential. Person is at the
center of constant changes and reacts to
these changes.
5) D.W. Winnicott:

False Self
(healthy/unhealth
y)/
True Self

(Frando, p.58, Otig, p.44)

 6)Piaget: assimilation (application of previous concepts to new ),
accommodation (encounter new that challenge old concepts),
(p.35, Otig)
 a. Schemas/schemes: mental organizations adults use
to understand their environments and designate action.
 b. adaptation: child’s learning processes to meet
situational demands
 c. stages of cognitive development
7) Harter’s Self-Development Concept (p.37, Otig)

 Early Childhood
 Middle to Later Childhood
 Adolescence
 Emerging Adults
8) Allport’s Personality Theory: “personality trait”
– essential characteristic (unchanging), p.42,
Otig)

9) Eric Berne (p. 43, Otig) – Transactional Analysis

 Parent, Adult, Child
10) Gregg Henriques:(p.43, Otig)

Domains:
Experiential,
Private,
Public
 Self-Concepts

1.Multiple Selves vs Unified Selves

2.Self-Esteem and Self Efficacy
3. Individualistic / Collective Self
(West/East)
 Self-Concepts
1. Multiple Selves vs Unified Selves (p. 41, Otig)

 *Unity of Consciousness: Descartes, Kant: “I can do and be

conscious of doing a number of actions at the same time”
 Multiple Selves: James, William – “as many as there are
individuals who recognize him and carry an image of him
in their minds”
2. Self-Esteem and Self
Efficacy (p.59, Palean).

* Correlated

Self-esteem: overall
assessment of one’s
worth

Self-Efficacy: how one

performs
3. Individualistic / Collective Self
(West/East)
EASTERN/WESTERN
THOUGHT
WESTERN

1. Analytic: reality – aggregate of parts; self is

observer, separate from objects

2. Monotheistic: unitary explanations of phenomena

(closed-system view of self – modelled after unitary,
omnipotent power

3. Individualistic: self-expression, self-actualization

4. Materialistic/rationalistic: analytic-didactic modes

of thinking
 EASTERN
 Hinduism: Self (divine universal consciousness encompassing the universe in
oneself and others), non-dual
 Buddhism: Self - dynamic process (not essence, entity, substance, eternal,
unchanging), in constant flux, experience, not concept of self (meditation –
here and now)
 Confucianism: self (not substance, spirit, body) – personality (qualities that form
personality – upbringing and environment) – virtues or 4 beginnings:
compassion, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, Jen Yi, Li, Chih
 Taoism: Self, not hierarchical – not an extension of social relationships, “self” is
one of countless manifestations of the Tao (universe as well-ordered whole);
 ideal: selflessness, conscious self-transformation towards harmony with
nature/society.
 Holy Q’uran – self or “nafs” is the psyche, or the totality of the conscious and
unconscious human mind; nurture to become good; individualistic/collective
sense.
Activity:

Johari Window
Activity for
Real/Ideal Self