Concepts of the self

Question 1

Self

Answer 1

Thoughts and emotions about who we are

Question 2

Self-concept

Answer 2

Refers to how we view ourselves

Question 3

Lewis (1990)

Answer 3

Lewis suggests that self develops with age and is affected by our experiences. He also believes there are two parts of the self: existential and categorical self

Question 4

Existential self

Answer 4

Awareness that we have an existence that is separate from others

Question 5

Categorical self

Answer 5

Awareness that we are seen by others by means of categories such as age

Question 6

Carl Rodgers (1959)

Answer 6

Carl Rodgers suggest that the self is split into 3 parts:
Self-image - How we see ourselves
Self-esteem - How we value ourselves
Ideal self- What we think we should be like
If self-image and ideal self do not match, it leads to mental health difficulties

Question 7

Congruence and self-actualisation

Answer 7

Congruence is when the ideal self and self-image are mostly similar and self-actualisation is possible. Incongruence is when the ideal self and self-image are often different so self-actualisation is difficult. Self-actualisation is what we can become / someone achieving their potential in life