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
Presented by: John Jerome S. Gironella RN, LPT, MAN
 PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

Psychology
- Scientific study of the human mind and behavior.
Cognitive psychology
 concerned with mental processes (as perception, thinking, learning, and
memory) especially with respect to the internal events occurring between
sensing and the expression of behavior.
Cognition
 the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge & comprehension. It
includes thinking, knowing, remembering, judging, and problem-solving.
 These are higher-level functions of the brain and encompass language,
imagination, perception, and planning.
 PhilCST
PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OLD NALSIAN ROAD, BRGY. NALSIAN, CALASIAO, PANGASINAN

The Self as Cognitive Construct

• 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

Id, Ego, and Superego

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

The Self as Cognitive Construct

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

The Self as Cognitive Construct

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

The Self as Cognitive Construct

• Signs of Low 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