PhilCST

PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

Understanding the Self

Chapter 1- Defining the Self
The Self as Cognitive Construct
 PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

• In confidence or in an attempt to avoid further analytical discussions, a lot of people, “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?”
• William James was one of the earliest psychologist 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. The “me” on the other
hand, is the physical characteristics as well as psychological capabilities that makes who you are.
• Carl Roger`s theory of personality also used the same terms, the “I” as the one who acts and decides while
the “me” is what you think or feel about yourself as an object.
• Other concepts similar to self are identity and self- concept. Identity is composed of personal
characteristics, social roles, and responsibilities, as well as affiliations that define who one is. Self- concept
is what basically comes to your mind when you are asked about who you are.
PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

 PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

• 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 one`s behavior as the results of the interaction between the Id, the Ego, and the Superego.
• Id: The id is the impulsive (and unconscious) part of our psyche which responds directly and immediately
to basic urges, needs, and desires. The personality of the newborn child is all id and only later does it
develop an ego and super-ego.
• Ego: The ego is the part of the id which has been modified by the direct influence of the external world.
The ego develops to mediate between the unrealistic id and the external real world. It is the decision-
making component of personality. Ideally, the ego works by reason, whereas the id is chaotic and
unreasonable.
• Superego: The superego incorporates the values and morals of society which are learned from one's
parents and others. The superego's function is to control the id's impulses, especially those which society
forbids, such as sex and aggression.
PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

 PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

• Under the theory of symbolic interactionism, George Herbert Mead (1934) argued that the self is created
and developed through human interaction. Basically there are three reasons why self and identity are
social products:
1. We do not create ourselves out of nothing.
2. Whether we like it to admit it or not, we actually need others to affirm and reinforce who we think we are.
3. What we think is important to us may also have been influenced by what is important in our social or
historical context.
PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

 PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

• There are times however, when we are aware of our self- concepts; this is also called self- awareness.
Carver and Scheier (1981) identified two types of self that we can be aware of: (1) the private self or
internal standards and private thoughts and feelings, and (2) the public self or your public image
commonly geared toward having a good presentation of yourself to others.
• Self- awareness also presents us with at least three other self- schema: the actual self, ideal self , and
ought self.
• The actual self is who you are at the moment.
• The ideal self is who you like to be.
• The ought self is who you think you should be.
PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

 PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

• Self- Esteem: In psychology, the term self-esteem is used to describe a person's overall sense of self-worth
or personal value. In other words, how much you appreciate and like yourself.
• Self-esteem is often seen as a personality trait, which means that it tends to be stable and enduring.
• Self-esteem can involve a variety of beliefs about yourself, such as the appraisal of your own appearance,
beliefs, emotions, and behaviors.
• Many theorists have written on the dynamics involved in self-esteem. The need for self-esteem plays an
important role in psychologist Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which depicts self-esteem as one of
the basic human motivations.
• Maslow suggested that people need both esteem from other people as well as inner self-respect. Both of
these needs must be fulfilled in order for an individual to grow as a person and achieve self-actualization.
PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

 PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

• Signs of Healthy Self-Esteem
You probably have a good sense of who you are if you exhibit the following signs:
1. Confidence
2. Ability to say no
3. Positive outlook
4. Ability to see overall strengths and weaknesses and accept them
5. Negative experiences don't impact overall perspective
6. Ability to express your needs
 PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

• Signs of Low Self-Esteem

You may need to work on how you perceive yourself if you exhibit any of these signs of poor self-esteem:
1. Negative outlook
2. Lack of confidence
3. Inability to express your needs
4. Focus on your weaknesses
5. Excessive feelings of shame, depression, or anxiety
6. Belief that others are better than you
7. Trouble accepting positive feedback
8. Intense fear of failure
PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct