topic 7 - Concepts of the self and self-concept Flashcards
define ‘the self’
is our thoughts and emotions about who we are
define ‘self-concept’
how we see ourselves based on how others see us + our own beliefs
how is the idea of ‘self’ developed?
According to Lewis, an American psychologist (1990), the idea of self is developed through age and is affected by our experiences in the world.
what are the two parts of the self?
existential self and categorical self
define ‘existential self’
it is the awareness that we have an existence which is separate from others and we see ourselves as constant
when does ‘existential self’ start?
according to Lewis, it starts at around 2 months old
how does ‘existential self’ develop?
it develops through the interactions with the world which gives us the idea that we are separate from others.
an example of existential self developing?
when a baby touches a rattle, they only sense touch on their fingers and when a baby touches its legs it feels the sense of touch on their leg and hand.
define ‘categorical self’
it is the awareness that we are seen by others through categories.
what are different examples of categories in the categorical self?
age, size, height, gender etc
when does the categorical self change/ develop
according to Lewis, from around 18 months
what affects the categorical self?
someones values changing can affect the categorical self but cultural changes can also have an effect.
what evidence supports Lewis’s concept?
Lewis and Jeanne Brooks-Gunn (1979) red-nose test.
what did the red-nose test do and show?
babies were used and without them knowing, red lipstick was smudged onto their nose. They were placed in front of a mirror where they could see their reflection. If they reached up to touch their nose, they had a sense of self but if they tried to find the child that had a smudged red-nose, they didn’t. It was found that at about 18 months old, the child would reach for their own nose.
who split self-concept into three parts?
Carl Rogers (1959)
