lesson 6 Flashcards
a quest for identity
define the self
a complex web of psychological entities (ex. cognitions, emotions) and processes (ex. monitoring, evaluating) concerning one’s own person
- a working definition
- entities that concern oneself
- through touch, we develop our sense of self or regain our sense of self
what is identity
- a part of self concepts
- anything related to you
- an individual perception of their characteristics and abilities, their beliefs and values, their relations with others, and how their lives fit into the world around them
- often identity and self have been used interchangeably in literature
- something we develop overtime, affected by the people we surround ourselves with
4 aspects of social psychology
- self concept
- self esteem
- self knowledge
- social self
what is self-concept?
who am I?
what is self-esteem?
-what kind of self-value do i give to myself
- tends to decrease in adolescence
- vulnerable in adolescence
what is self-knowledge?
- how can i explain and predict myself
- belonging to a certain group can help determine your future
what is social self?
- roles we play in society
- who we are to others
-having a role within a specific group is crucial in youth- ex. lots of teens have been recruited by terrorist groups, they may find some source of self-esteem
- feels like they are a part of something important
The self is related to…
- the body and the bodily self
- cultural and social values, beliefs, expectations
- sensitivity to social cues and social rewards
- experience of dignity/humiliation
- social media
- people on social media tend to become role models
- family relationships and dynamics + internal working models
- friends
- related to sensitivity to social rewards - developing prefrontal cortex (executive and metacognitive functions)
Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development
- comprehensive thory og human development across the life span
- each period of life is characterized by a distinctive developmental issue or “crisis”
- each crisis holds the potential for a healthy path of development and an unhealthy path
- finding a balance between commitment and exploration ( see attachment theory)
stages of Erikson’s development theory
Adolescence 13-19 years old
- Virtues: fidelity
- Psychosocial crisis: identity vs. role confusion
- Significant relationships: peers, role models
- ?: who am i? Who can i be?
- Ex. social relationships
Early adulthood
- Virtues: love
- Psychosocial crisis: intimacy vs isolation
- Significant relationships: friends, partners
- ?: can i love?
- Ex. romantic relationships
Aspects of identity
- self-reflective ability
- vocation
- self choices
- sexual orientation
- identifications (past and present ones)
- moratorium (trying things out)
- adolescent is in a state of active exploration and has made no commitment, or at best an unclear one
what does identity achievement signify?
that the adolescent has finished a period of active exploration and has made a related commitment
identity achievement
identity has been challenged and commitments made, but open to new opportunities
identity foreclosure
acceptance of identity and not open to any exploration of alternatives
identity moratorium
in the process of challenging identity, actively exploring self and identity
identity diffusion
no exploration or commitment to identity at this point
