Identity and the SelfIdentity and the SelfAim: To begin exploring the codes that make us who we are and which we use to express identity
Consider these two points of Consider these two points of view – which approach do you view – which approach do you find yourself in most find yourself in most agreement with?agreement with?“I am who I am because of the time and
place I was born and the culture I was raised in. My family gave me a set of values and so has my town, my religion, my community and my country. Add these all up and that’s who I am”
“I have got an identity – at least my friends seem to think so, but I’m not really sure who I am. I know that I’m more like some people than others, but this changes as I try out new identities. I don’t really want to take on an identity if it means I can’t be different when I want to be”
First ApproachFirst Approach“I am who I am because of the time and
place I was born and the culture I was raised in. My family gave me a set of values and so has my town, my religion, my community and my country. Add these all up and that’s who I am”
This view sees identity as a product of culture – we are fashioned by social and cultural forces together with a sort of genetic blueprint which moulds us into the individuals we are.
Second ApproachSecond Approach“I have got an identity – at least my friends
seem to think so, but I’m not really sure who I am. I know that I’m more like some people than others, but this changes as I try out new identities. I don’t really want to take on an identity if it means I can’t be different when I want to be”
This view has a different take on the relationship between culture and the individual. Here, culture provides a set of resources which we are free to use in the construction of our own identity. Rather than being fixed into place by powerful forces, identity is more like a butterfly.
The DebateThe DebateNeither is right or wrong
They represent two sides of a debate over the nature of identity
Components of IdentityComponents of Identity
CareerPolitical viewsReligious beliefsRelationshipsEthnic identityPersonalityBody image
SELFSELF
All the Characteristics of the Person
Self-concept: everything the person believes to be true about him/herself
Includes traits, preferences, social roles, values, beliefs, interests, self-categorization
Self-understanding develops throughout the lifespan
Self-Awareness in InfancySelf-Awareness in InfancyDot-of-rouge experimentRecognize selves in mirror at 15-
18 months15-23 months
◦Personal pronoun use◦Picture recognition◦Self-referencing, ownership, self-
monitoring
Self in Early ChildhoodSelf in Early ChildhoodConfusion of self, mind, and bodyConcrete descriptionsPhysical descriptionsActivities – what they doOverestimation of abilities
Self – Middle & Late ChildhoodSelf – Middle & Late Childhood
Shift to internal traits and abilities
Social role descriptionsReal and ideal selvesMore realistic about abilities
Perspective TakingPerspective TakingOpposite of egocentrism – the
ability to assume another’s perspective
Children who are good at this are popular
Development progresses through stages (Selman)
Self in AdolescenceSelf in AdolescenceAbstract-idealisticSelf-conscious/ preoccupiedContradictions within selfFluctuating picture across
time/situationsPossible selvesSelf-integrations as they get
older
Self in AdulthoodSelf in AdulthoodSelf-awareness (emotional
intelligence)◦Accept own good and bad qualities
Possible selves become more realistic
Life review – evaluation of successes & failures; more likely as you get older
Self-ConceptSelf-ConceptThis is the idea we have of
ourselves as individuals
Consists of 3 elements- SELF IMAGE- IDEAL SELF- SELF-ESTEEM
Activity – The Ideal SelfActivity – The Ideal SelfThe ideal self is the kind of person you would like
to be
Think about the 3 designations:- Intellectual Self- deals with your intelligence
and your ability to make good decisions- Emotional Self- deals with your emotions
and how you deal with them and also your self-esteem
- Bodily Self- has to do with your body and how good you take care of it
Sum up the ideal male or female according to society or the media. How far is your ideal self similar or different to these?
The Ideal Self The Ideal Self An easier concept in theory that is in in practice
Trying to probe the Ideal Self in any kind of public context results in gatekeeping: we filter out information that could cause negative perceptions
Usually get role models and the ideal self confused
Activity – Role ModelsActivity – Role ModelsWho are your role models and
heroes/heroines? What qualities do you admire in them? If you would like to be more like these people, what more than their success (money, fame, adulation etc) do you want?
Self-Esteem: What is it?Self-Esteem: What is it?Evaluative part of the self-concept
◦emotionalDifference between the real and ideal self
◦Have you realized your potential?◦Do you value the trait, but have little
potential?◦Ideal self includes the “ought” and the “wish”
selvesMeasure of our sense of meaning in life
◦This includes purpose◦Self-respect (Have you lived up to who you
are?)
Self-Esteem: What is it?Self-Esteem: What is it?Influenced by the reactions of
others◦Generalized other, great ubiquitous
“they”People are susceptible to flatteryIt is tougher to accept criticism
Self-Esteem: What is it?Self-Esteem: What is it?Self-serving bias
◦Overrate ourselves◦Blame our failures◦Claim our victories◦As a rule, only depressed people truly have
low self-esteem
The Self-Esteem MovementThe Self-Esteem MovementPropagated primarily in the educational system
Curricula aimed at increasing students’ self-esteem
Everyone born after 1970…
Focus has been on increasing self-esteem that is not rooted in reality
Researchers now suggesting that students need to be able to identify their talents
The Psychology of Self-Esteem Branden (1969)
What Was Taught What Was Taught
“Keep your head up, feel good about yourself” vs. “take responsibility for your work”. Forsyth et al (2007)
“You can do anything!”
No use of the word “failure”
Everyone got all good grades, doing little work
Unrealistic expectations of success
Students report being bored in class
What Resulted: What Resulted: AttitudesAttitudes
“Being happy is the most important thing”
We should always feel good about ourselves
What Resulted: AttitudesWhat Resulted: Attitudes
Carol Dweck’s research
Effort is considered a sign of stupidity
When children are told that they are smart, they choose an easier task.
Panic when they are challenged orthink they are engaging in “a lot of effort”.
Result – Confused ParentsResult – Confused ParentsEncouraged delicate handling of childrenShielded them from negative emotions,
criticismPraised kids regardless of what they did
Carol Dweck’s researchParents often think that helping their kids build
self-esteem is done by shielding them from criticism and praising their talents
Protecting kids from hurt, failure, criticism, & disappointment has made them more
vulnerable
What Resulted - BehaviorsWhat Resulted - Behaviors
“We’ve created college students who are woefully vulnerable to pinpricks”
Students seem to be incapable of handling negative feedback.
What Self-esteem Cannot Do?What Self-esteem Cannot Do?
Improve school performanceImprove social relationshipsGuarantee good leadershipPrevent risky behavior such as
drinkingPromote health