Final exam Flashcards
(102 cards)
What is the self according to James
self as two major components
- existential self
- categorical self
Existential self
the subjective “I” who experiences the world
Categorical self
the objective “me” seen and evaluated in the world
Self according to Harter
the self as a broad concept that can be divided into 3 distinct but interrelated elements
- Self-knowledge (self-awareness)
- Self-evaluation (self-esteem)
- Self-regulation (self-control)
Self schema
an internal cognitive portrait of the self used to organize information about the self
Selman’s 5 stages of self-awareness
Cognitive-developmental approach
Level 0 (infancy) Level 1 (Early childhood) Level 2 (middle childhood) Level 3 (preadolescence) Level 4 (adolescence)
Selman’s level 0
Infancy
children understand their physical existence but
don’t display an awareness of separate psychological existence
Selman’s level 1
Early childhood
Child separates psychological states from behaviour; thoughts can control actions
Selman’s level 2
Middle childhood
The self can be hidden from others but cannot be hidden from oneself
Selman’s level 3
Preadolescence
Self represents a stable component of personality
Selman’s level 4
Adolescence
Self cannot ever be completely known
Bandura’s theory of self
Self evolves from self-efficacy and self-regulation
Environmental/learning approach
Self-efficacy
A person’s perception of his or her ability to succeed at various tasks
Evaluative self reactions
Consequences people apply to themselves as a result of meeting (or not) personal standards
- motivates children to behave in accordance with their internal standards
Bowlby’s attachment theory
Responsive care-giving can influence self-development
evolutionary and biological approach
When did self-consciousness emerge?
Some hominids (I.e. orang-utans & chimpanzees) and possibly dolphins exhibit some self-recognition
How does self-awareness contribute to adaptation?
Self-awareness is thought to have evolved as part of living in complex social groups - allows us to understand the mental state of others
What is the neurobiological source of self-awareness?
Some aspects of self-awareness may be encapsulated in modules in the brain (prefrontal areas)
Sociocultural approach to the self
- The self develops through participation in cultural practices, customs and institutions.
- the delineation between self and other has a more diffused boundary in non-Western cultures
Culture + self
cultures vary in
1) the age @ which an individual is defined as a “person”
2) possible incarnations of the “self” in time and space
3) in notions of the “ideal” self
Cultural perceptions of self begin early
Self-knowledge: perception
Infants can imitate adult facial expressions
- 3 m.o. infants perceive their own Motor control
Personal agency
child understands that he/she can have an impact on the world
- early indicator of this awareness is infant actions on things (toys) in their environment
- the more sensitive and responsive the parents, the more quickly infants come to understand their own influence on the environment
Visual self recognition
3 months: can discriminate still images of self vs. others
- prefer to view image of other
5 months: when still images are altered so cheeks have a mark on them, looking preference changes
- more time spent looking @self
Mirror self-recognition/The Mark test (Gallup, 1970)
children who pass this test understand that a spot on the forehead relates to them (shown by reaching response)
** recognition of the self in photographs occurs several months after mirror self-recognition