SelfAwareness What Makes Up Our SelfConcept SelfConcept Selfconcept

Self-Awareness: What Makes Up Our Self-Concept

Self-Concept • • Self-concept or self identity refers to the global understanding a thinking being has of him or herself. It presupposes but can be distinguished from self-consciousness, which is simply an awareness of one's self. It is also more general than self-esteem, which is the purely evaluative element of the self-concept. The self-concept is composed of relatively permanent self-assessments, such as personality attributes, knowledge of one's skills and abilities, one's occupation and hobbies, and awareness of one's physical attributes. For example, the statement, "I am lazy" is a self-assessment that contributes to the self-concept. In contrast, the statement "I am tired" would not normally be considered part of someone's self-concept, since being tired is a temporary state. Nevertheless, a person's self-concept may change with time, possibly going through turbulent periods of identity crisis and reassessment.

Self-fulfilling Prophecies The Importance of the Self-Concept What is the self-concept? Humans think, feel, and can reflect on who we are. We form an identity and attach meaning to it. For example: two people may get fired from the same job, but only one person finds it devastating. Why?

From the classics… The ID: biological drives The EGO: logical, rational The SUPEREGO: conscience

Individual Psychology Theory Compensation Inferiority Complex Personality arises from our attempts to overcome inadequacy.

1. Trust vs. Mistrust 5. Identity vs. Role Confusion 2. Autonomy vs. Doubt 6. Intimacy vs. Isolation 3. Initiative vs. Guilt 7. Generativity vs. 4. Industry vs. Inferiority 8. Integrity vs. Despair Self-Absorption

1. Getting Established 2. Wavering and Doubt 3. Getting Settled 4. Mid-Transition – Mid –Life Crises 5. Surviving the Seventies

1. Openness to Experience 2. Conscientiousness 3. Extroversion 4. Agreeableness 5. Neuroticism

Self-Concept: May or May not be realistic

In reality it could be different.