Understanding Oneself

I am like all other people

I am like some other people
I am like no other person

P = f(H x E x S)
Self-Awareness
 Psychological Processes

1. Emotional Stability

2. Defensive Behavior

3. Locus of Control

4. Dealing with Authority

1. Emotional Stability
• Self-Aware
• Manage Emotions vs Anxiety
• Behavioral Consistency
• Empathy
• Responsiveness
 Self-Concept & Behavior
Positive Self-concept
Resilient (able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions)
– face setbacks
Open to criticism
Can deal effectively with authority
Likely to think well of others

Behavior
Confident, Self-assured
Comfort with new people /new situations – need improvements in
these areas
Long lasting positive relationships

Head Tapes
I can
I’ll make it work
This is my right
My needs are important
I’m not old
Low Self-esteem
Learned helplessness
Defensive, Fearful, Hesitant
Self-destructive behavior
Seek approval of others
Authority issues

Behavior
Low initiative
Compliance
Resistance to change
Rebellious - showing a desire to resist authority, control, or
convention

Head Tapes
Others are better
What will others say?
I must not fail
I can’t
“Shoulds” that Govern Thoughts

I Should:
• Be good at everything

• Be appreciated by all

• Be responsible

• Never make a mistake

• Be in control

• Be self-reliant

• Not express my fears / soft feelings

3. Defensive Behavior
• Hold to my position rigidly

• Don’t listen to others

• Misinterpret what others say to me

• Feel that no one understands me

• Am easily irritated

• Don’t want to talk about ‘certain things’

• Become indignant when challenged

• Anger easily

• Lose my sense of humor

Life Positions
 Locus of Control

EXTERNALIST INTERNALIST
2. Locus of Control
Externals
• Influenced by fate & others
• Low self-direction
• Cautious in trying new approaches
• Express greater dissatisfaction with job, orgn, and superior
• Use defenses to cope with inadequacies
• Often feel helpless
• Become cynical

Internals
• Self-reliant, self-directed
• Accept responsibility for own growth & career development
• Confident
• Higher risk- taking
• Self blaming
• Achievement oriented
• Higher perseverance

RoleTaking vs.Role Making

Circle of
Concern

Circle of
Influence
4. Growth Towards Maturity

Shift from:
Dependence to Interdependence
Behaving in Few to Many ways
Casual, shallow, quickly developed interests to
Deeper interests
Short-term Perspective to Long -term
Perspective
Subordinate position to Equal position
Lack of Awareness of self to Control over self
Do People Change?

• Strong impulse to grow

• Self-fulfilling prophesy - I think I am &

therefore I am
Obstacles to Growth

Safety Growth

• Captives of the Past " I have always been this

way"
• Tendency to rationalise, justify
• Low self-esteem
• Being a critic rather than a doer
• Fear of Failure
 Eric Erikson - Eight Stages of
Development
• Dramatic changes at different life stages

• Each stage characterized by “crisis”

• Resolve crisis for healthy adjustment to next stage

• If not, individual struggles with issues of previous

stage, in subsequent life stage(s)
Stages of Psychological Development
Integrity vs Despair (50 +) Wisdom

Generativity vs Self Absorption (35-50) Care

Intimacy vs Isolation (20-35 yrs) Love

Identity vs Role Confusion (14-19) Fidelity

Industry vs Inferiority (6-13) Competence

Initiative vs Guilt (3-6 yrs) Purpose

Autonomy vs Doubt (1-3 yrs) Will

Trust vs Mistrust ( uptill 1 yr) Hope