Lecture 18 Self & Other Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is self-concept?
A conceptual system of thoughts and attitudes about oneself, including physical, social, and internal characteristics.
What are the two aspects of self described by William James?
- ‘I’ self: the knower/actor (inner life);
- ‘Me’ self: the known/self as object (evaluated self).
What are the 3 parts of the “Me” self?
Material me (possessions/body),
Social me (how others see you),
Spiritual me (internal self shaped by culture).
Why is self-concept important?
It is essential for the regulation of all behaviours.
How does self-concept develop in infancy (0–1 yr)?
Infants show preferences (e.g., gaze) and are egocentric.
How does self-concept develop in toddlerhood (1–2 yrs)?
- Toddlers use pronouns
- show body control
- recognize themselves in mirrors.
How does self-concept appear in early childhood (3–5 yrs)?
- Described using observable traits
- preferences
- possessions
- unrealistic optimism
- no self/other comparison
How does self-concept appear in middle childhood (6–9 yrs)?
Described using concrete but realistic abilities
begin making social comparisons.
How does self-concept appear in late childhood (9–11 yrs)?
- Includes others’ perceptions
- grouping of descriptors
- values
What characterizes self-concept in early adolescence (12–14 yrs)?
- Abstract and conflicting self-descriptions
- egocentrism
- context-specific selves (e.g., ‘with friends I am…’).
What characterizes self-concept in late adolescence (15–18 yrs)?
- Higher-order
- integrated abstract self-descriptions
- ecocentrism and narcissism
What is Social Learning Theory?
Children learn by observing others’ behaviours, reactions to those behaviours, and their own emotional responses.
What did the Bobo Doll experiment show?
- Children imitate aggression if not punished
- can reproduce behaviours when prompted or rewarded.
When does aggression peak in early development?
Around 24 months, during boundary testing (‘terrible twos’).
What can be learned through social learning besides aggression?
Non-aggression, emotion regulation, and prosocial behaviours (e.g., role models in STEM).
What is role-taking?
The ability to understand another person’s perspective.
What is Stage 0 of role-taking (3–6 yrs)?
Egocentric – cannot recognise others’ perspectives.
What is Stage 1 of role-taking (6–8 yrs)?
Subjective – others have different perspectives only if they have different information.
What is Stage 2 of role-taking (8–10 yrs)?
Self-reflective– others have different perspectives because of different motivations.
What is Stage 3 of role-taking (10–12 yrs)?
Mutual – can understand perspectives from a third-party point of view.
What is Stage 4 of role-taking (12+ yrs)?
Societal – compares self and others to a ‘generalized other’ (e.g., social norms).
How are role-taking and self-concept related?
Children’s ability to take others’ perspectives develops alongside their self-concept.
Summary: How does self-concept develop?
It grows in complexity over time in how people understand, express, and relate their physical, social, and internal selves.
Summary: How do children understand others?
Through social learning and role-taking, which both develop throughout childhood and adolescence.
