Psychology

The Self from Various Perspectives

Lesson Objective:

1. Identify the diff erent ideas in

psychology about the self;

2. Create your own defi nition of the

“self ” based on the defi nitions from
psychology; and

3. Analyze the eff ects of various

factors identifi ed in psychology in
the formation of the self.
Introduction

Research has acknowledged the

contributions of each fi eld thus far
from previous lessons. Psychology
may focus on the individual and the
cognitive functions, but it does not
discount the context and possible
factors that aff ect the individual.
CLASS ACTIVITY

• In your class, choose 3-5

representatives

• The representative should re-

introduce themselves to the class.

• After the introduction. The class

should try to describe the person in
one to three words.
WILLIAM JAMES

Conceptualized the self as having 2

aspects: The “I and Me”

“I” – the thinking, acting, and feeling

self.

“Me” – the physical characteristics,

and the psychological capabilities.
CARL ROGERS

“I” – as the one who acts and “Me” – is what you think or feel
decides about yourself as an object.
 Other Concepts:

Identity – composed of
personal characteristics,
Self-concept – is what comes Self, identity and self-concept
social roles, and
to your mind when you are are not fixed in one time
responsibilities, as well as
asked about who you are. frame.
affiliations that define who
one is.
 Symbolic Interactionism
G.H Mead
The s el f i s de ve lope d thr oug h hu m an i nte ra ct ion

1. We do n ot c re at e o urs el ves out of noth ing .

Soci et y h elp ed in c rea ti ng th e foun da ti on s o f
who we a re a nd even i f we m a ke cho ic es, we
wil l s ti ll ope rat e i n our soc ia l an d h ist ori ca l
con te xts.

2. We ac tu al ly ne ed oth ers t o affi rm an d

re in forc e who we th in k we ar e. We a ls o nee d
th em as r ef ere nc e poin ts ab ou t ou r ide nt it y.

3. Wha t we thi nk i s im por ta nt t o us m ay a ls o

be en in fl ue nce d by wh at i s i m por t a nt in our
socia l or h is tori ca l c on te xt .
Self Awareness
Carver and Scheier,
identified two types of
the self:
• the private self – internal
standards, thoughts and
feelings.
• The public self – public image
Self awareness also
presents us with three other
self-schema:
• Actual Self – who you are at the
moment
• Ideal self – who you like to be
• Ought self – who you think you
should be
 Self-Esteem
01
Our group identity and self-
awareness also has great
impact on self-esteem.
02
Self-esteem – defined as our
own positive or negative
perception or evaluation of
ourselves
03
Social Comparison Theory –
we learn about ourselves, the
appropriateness of our
behaviors, as well as our
social status by comparing
ourselves with other people.
Social Comparison

Downward social comparison –

we create a positive self-concept Upward social comparison –
by comparing ourselves with comparing ourselves with those
those who are worse off than us, who are better off than us.
we can raise our self-esteem.
 Social Comparison

Self-Evaluation Maintenance Theory

– we can feel threatened when
someone out-performs us,
especially when that person is close
to us. Our usual reactions are:

Reconsider the importance of the

Strengthen our resolve to improve
Silent treatment aspect or skill in which you were
ourselves.
outperformed.
Narcissism

In the attempt to increase or maintain self-esteem, some

people can become narcissistic,

• Narcissism – “a trait characterized by overly high self-esteem, self-

admiration, and self-centeredness”. They are vain and are bad romantic
partners or friends since they are self-serving.
• People with high self-esteem are often described as adventurous or
outgoing but they also may be bullies are abusers.
 Activity
1. Write about the following:

• Yourself

• Family

• Friends /Par tner

• People that you dislike

2. Should be submitted next week Monday

before lunch (link will be provided)

3. You can make up any title of your

choice or design ( just not too distracting,
pictures may or may not be attached to
the fi le)