self & Identity

Question 1

what is a self concept:

Answer 1

A knowledge structure that contains things (experiences, attributes, hopes) about you

Question 2

what is an identity?

Answer 2

• who you are (name, gender, ethnicity)

Question 3

why is having a self concept a good thing?

Answer 3

• helps our memory, We are better at remembering things that relate to our self-concept than things that are not
• helps us make decisions, Helps us decide what direction/choices to make
• motivates behaviour, for example achieve who you want to be
• provides a criteria upon which to evaluate our selves

Question 4

what is a possible self?

Answer 4

• it’s a self that you want to become or fear of becoming

Question 5

what is a proximal possible self?

Answer 5

it is a possible self that we can achieve in the near future ( next few months or years)

Question 6

what is a distal possible self?

Answer 6

it is a possible self that we can achieve but in the distant future ( next 10 or 20 years)

Question 7

possible selves can?

Answer 7

• represents what goals to achieve and avoid
• what behaviours we should do or avoid
• compare our current and future self and if we are moving forward towards it or not
• Provide a focus & organization for the pursuit
  of goals

Question 8

what is an ought self?

Answer 8

represents the ideal self that we think we should be, based on societal and cultural expectations such as being responsible, hardworking, kind, or successful.
- can cause shame, guilt & anxiety

Question 9

what is an ideal self?

Answer 9

a concept related to the way we think about ourselves and the version of ourselves that we aspire to become. It represents the best version of ourselves that we envision in terms of our personal goals and aspirations.
- can cause disappointment & sadness

Question 10

Ideal self and ought self are guides for?

Answer 10

for behaviour in pursuit of goals

Question 11

if I deal is prominent then:

Answer 11

• oriented towards gains (achieving positive outcomes)

Question 12

if Ought is prominent then:

Answer 12

• oriented towards responsibility and safety (avoid negative outcomes) such as loss or failure

Question 13

when does a child recognize themselves?

Answer 13

at 18 months old

Question 14

at 18-24 months a child can:

Answer 14

• know he/she looks like
  – uses pronouns
  – pretend play (what is real, not real)
  – learns rules of behaviour, what is expected

Question 15

at 2-3 yrs a child can:

Answer 15

learns about own sex & age

Question 16

at ages 3-12 a child can:

Answer 16

know what am I (not) good at?
– social comparisons (I’m better than you at …)
– private self-concept (I know things others don’t)

Question 17

teens can:

Answer 17

perspective taking
– what do others think of me?

Question 18

if I have a clear self concept then:

Answer 18

higher self-esteem, less anxiety & depression, higher conscientiousness

Question 19

difference between self concept and social identity?

Answer 19

self-concept is how you think about yourself,
social identity is the self that others see of you

Question 20

when asked who are you? we..

Answer 20

end to describe demographics, social roles, possible selves

Question 21

what is continuity?

Answer 21

some things remain stable
– you are the same ‘you’ today as yesterday, last year
– but you also change (grow/mature)

Question 22

what is contrast?

Answer 22

what makes you unique, different
– part of a group, but also distinct (your unique skills, abilities, likes)