GEC 111

Topic 4

THE SELF FROM A

PSYCHOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVE

Prepared by:
Ms. Abegail Bahala
Why do you behave in a certain way?

Has your behavior at present been affected

by your past experiences?
DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES ACCORDING TO
VARIOUS PSYCHOLOGISTS
PSYCHOSEXUAL
DEVELOPMENT
Theory of Sigmund Freud
What is Psychosexual
Development?
• Freud believed that adult
personality problems were the
result of early experiences in life.
• He believed that we go through
stages of psychosexual
development and that at each
stage of development we
experience pleasure in one part of
the body than in others.
 What are Erogenous Zones?
 Erogenous zones are parts of the
body that have especially strong
pleasure-giving qualities at
particular stages of development
Stages of Psychosexual Development
I. ORAL PHASE

Because the mouth is the first organ to provide an infant with pleasure, Freud’s first
infantile stage of development is the oral phase.
the breastfed baby
normally develops
intimacy with the
mother
 WEANING PROCESS
The primary conflict at this stage is the
weaning process where the child first
experiences the feeling of loss as a result of
losing the physical intimacy of feeding at
mother’s breast.

Weaning Self-awareness, delayed gratification, independence

Chief sources of pleasure
II. ANAL PHASE

The child erogenous zones are the bowel or bladder control.

III. PHALLIC PHASE

The genital area becomes the leading erogenous zone.

What is Oedipus Complex?
What is Electra Complex?
 III. LATENCY PERIOD
At this stage, the child represses all interest in sexuality and develops social and
intellectual skills.

attempts to punish or discourage sexual activity in young

children
DEFENSE MECHANISMS
REPRESSION
REACTION
FORMATION
FIXATION
PROJECTION
INTROJECTION
PSYCHOSOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT
Theory of Erik Erikson
 1. TRUST vs. MISTRUST
The individual develops a sense of trust towards the caregiver, especially with the mother’s genuine affection and care. A
lack of this leads to mistrust.

2. AUTONOMY vs. SHAME AND DOUBT

sense of personal control over physical skills and a sense of independence. Success leads to feelings of autonomy; failure
results in feelings of shame and doubt.

3. INITIATIVE vs. GUILT

asserting control and power over the environment. Parents who give their children freedom in running, sliding, bike-sliding,
and skating are allowing them to develop initiative. Success in this stage leads to a sense of purpose. Children who try to
exert too much power experience disapproval resulting in a sense of guilt

4. INDUSTRY vs. INFERIORITY

Parents and teachers who support, reward, and praise children are encouraging industry. Success leads to a sense of
competence while failure results in feelings of inferiority. Those who reject, ridicule, or ignore children’s efforts are
strengthening feelings of inferiority
 5. IDENTITY vs. ROLE CONFUSION
When the adolescent fails to develop a centered identity, he/she becomes trapped in either role confusion or negative identity.
Success leads to an ability to stay true to oneself while failure leads to a weak sense of self.

6. INTIMACY vs. ISOLATION

As an individual grows as a young adult, he/she needs to form intimate, loving relationships with other people. Success leads
to strong relationships while failure results in loneliness and isolation.

7. GENERATIVITY vs. STAGNATION

The adult needs to create or nurture things that will outlast him/her, often by having children or creating a positive change
that benefits other people. Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment while failure results in shallow
involvement in the world.

8. INTEGRITY vs. DESPAIR

The older adult needs to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment. Success at this stage leads to feelings of wisdom
while failure results in regret, bitterness, and despair.
SELF-CONCEPT
Theory of Carl Rogers
Factors that influence Self-Concept

• Childhood experiences

• Evaluation by others
 SELF-SCHEMA
➢ past experiences,
➢ personality traits,
➢ abilities,
➢ physical features,
➢ values,
➢ goals,
➢ social roles,
➢ own observations, and
➢ feedback from others
3 COMPONENTS OF
SELF-CONCEPT
Theory of Carl Rogers
 SELF-WORTH
 what we think about ourselves

SELF-IMAGE
 how we see ourselves

IDEAL SELF
 the person who we would like to be
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!