Self and Personality Flashcards
(15 cards)
Personality
Organised combination attributes, motives, values, and behaviours unique to each individual
Self-concept
(what I am)
How you perceive (positive or negative) your attributes and traits
Self-esteem
(How good I am)
Your elevation of your self worth based on all of your self-perceptions that make up your self-concept
You need to have a concept of self to have self-esteem
Males generally report higher self esteem
self esteem dips in teens to mid 40s and peaks in 50 - 70s. Then dips into 80s
Earliest evidence of emergence of self is..
6 months infants: distinguish themselves from the rest of the world
- Appreciate that they can act on the external world
Bahrick & Watson (1985) leg kicking study with 5-month-old infants
Infants looked at the screen that was opposite to what they were doing. They were able to appreciate the difference between themselves and the screen
Earliest evidence of emergence of self is.. after 6 months is
12 months infants: Distinguished themselves from other individuals, appreciate individuals have different perspectives, and that attention can be shared.
Eg. joining attention & pointing- when individuals are interacting often engaging in direct attention
Earliest evidence of emergence of self is.. after 12 months is
18 and 24 months: Recognised themselves as individuals - SELF AWARENESS (think noticing themselves/ reflection in the mirror)
- Recognise themselves as individuals
- Categorical self begins to develop
- Develops into the 4th year of postnatal life
Gender categorical. Like me not like me
Factors that contribute to early self-awareness:
- Cognitive and brain development
- Social interaction (with caregivers, same age as the child- may look the same but would be able to appreciate that they do different things)
- Attachment (language and interaction between child and caregivers can support the child….)
- Culture… maybe
Importance of self awareness
Toddlers use of language about self and ability to describe themselves
Showing emotions such as embarrassment and empathy
Ability to cooperate with their peers
Self Concept in childhood and adolescence
CHILDREN (~8 YEARS)
Concrete Complex
Social identities emerge
Self descriptions include enduring qualities
Self portraits are made through social comparisons
…these are not always accurate!
Self Concept in childhood and adolescence
ADOLESCENT (~11/12 YEARS)
Increases in complexity
Self descriptions less physical and more psychological
Self portraits are more abstract
Show greater awareness of self
Differentiated self concept
Different in different situations
At the end of adolescence the differentiated self is combined to a coherent whole
Culture and self-conceptions
Individualism vs Collectivism
Individual/ personal needs vs Group needs
But you can be a highly individual as a person, but can be in a collective household/culture.
Self esteem in childhood (8 years)
Tendency to evaluate their worth at different levels resulting in emergence of Self esteem
- Emergence of an “ideal self”
- Multidimensional and hierarchical with age
- Self esteem is generally stable..
- Which means that its important to foster a good self esteem as a parent
- But turning a ‘blind eye’ to child’s weaknesses is not the best way to do so
Self esteem in adolescent (11/12 years)
Reduction in self esteem due to:
- increase in abilities to be realistic
- Insecurity as a result in changes in schools
- Insecure about body
- Big-fish-little-pond
- implication for gifted students
Experiencing all adolescences has to offers get self esteem back on track
Influences on self-esteem
- Heredity - twins
- Competence
- Social Feedback
- Secure attachment to warm, democratic parents
Self esteem: Why dos it matter
- Better/positive out comes in life, well rounded individuals
Foster this early on development
Interventions: books and workshops- Can help boost self esteem
