Self and Identity Flashcards
self-concept (3)
- way we describe ourselves through assessment of our abilities, traits, and characteristics
- may not be in line with how others see us
- ever-changing process becoming more complex over our lifetime
self-awareness (infancy and toddlerhood, 2)
- arises around birth - 3 months
- see themselves as physically separate from the world around them; understand their behaviour can be described and evaluated by others
self-recognition (infancy and toddlerhood, 3)
- ability to recognize or identify the self (mirror or photo)
- emerges between 18-24 months
- advances self-awareness of toddler and leads them to experience more complex emotions (guilt, embarrassment)
categorical self (infancy and toddlerhood, 3)
- self-description based upon broad categories such as sex, age, and physical characteristics
- emerges around 18-24 months
- begin to use personal pronouns and adjectives (me, brother, age, characteristics) as vocabulary and cognition is developing
Self-concept in Childhood (4-7 years old, 3)
- understand self in concrete terms
- appearance, general abilities, favourite activities, possessions, and simple psychological traits
- self-evaluation is very positive (possibly unrealistic)
Self-concept in Middle Childhood (2)
- shifts to trait-like psychological constructs focused on personality (whether they are funny, nice, friendly)
- include positive and negative traits in self-concept
What primarily influences self-concept in adolescence?
- relationships with parents, peers, and teachers (related to how they think others see them)
Self-concept in adolescence and example (2)
- describe self in multiple ways that are often contradictory; feelings and behaviours can change with different situations
- example: I am a loyal friend UNLESS you lie to me
ideal self (adolescence)
- a self one aspires to be
real self (adolescence)
- one’s actual self
self-esteem (3)
- based on evaluation of self-concept descriptions
- feelings of self-worth, self-acceptance, and self-respect
- relies on cognitive development and a sense of self that emerges over course of childhood
self-esteem preschoolers (2)
- typically have a positive sense of self
- think they can achieve anything and are well skilled
self-esteem in school-age children
- more accurate and comprehensive description of themselves; more realistic in evaluation
social comparison (self-esteem in school-age children, 2)
- process by which children compare their abilities and skills with other children
- allows them to see their own deficits as they can tell when someone is doing better/worse than them
self-esteem in adolescence (2)
- beliefs about self become more closely related to behaviour and relationships (academics, extra-curricular, social competence)
- tendency to evaluate self with respect to multiple dimensions (academics, sports, etc) and relationships
global self-esteem (adolescence, 2)
- overall evaluation of self-worth and may be comparing pubertal development and changes to peers
- drops during multiple transitions (puberty) and then rises again later in life
identity (4)
- a process, requires higher cognitive functioning
- complex combinations of self-concept and self-esteem to construct identity
- relatively consistent after it develops
- reflective of western approach that focuses on individuality
identity achievement (4)
- establishing coherent sense of self after exploring many possibilities
- achieving goal of ideal self (career, family, etc)
- exploration, goal-setting, and committing to certain set of values of self
- associated with positive well-being
identity moratorium (2)
- time-out period providing more freedom and autonomy than childhood, but is without full autonomy and responsibilities of adulthood
- allows for exploration of identity, openness to possibilities but anxiousness around finding what we want to be
affected by emerging adulthood
emerging adulthood (2)
- extended transitional period between adolescence and adulthood
- 18-25 years olds but length is getting larger because students are entering university before they get a job, delays responsibilities of adulthood
identity diffusion (3)
- not having explored or committed to a sense of self
- pervasive uncertainty with little motivation to find identity
- no motivation towards solid goals
identity foreclosure (2)
- individual who has chosen an identity without engaging in exploration
- commonly occurs because individual has parents who are controlling, and sets identity for child which is negative; occurs in family businesses and likely does not cause problems