Overview
This lecture introduces the key concepts of self-identity, focusing on self-concept, its development, and important psychological theories about how individuals understand and categorize themselves.
Self-Concept and Its Development
- Self-concept is how a person thinks about, perceives, or evaluates themselves.
- Being self-aware means having a self-concept.
- Self-concept develops in two stages: existential self and categorical self.
- Existential self is realizing you are a separate and constant entity from others.
- Babies as young as 2-3 months recognize their existential self by interacting with the world.
- Categorical self is understanding you have properties (like age, gender) and placing yourself in categories.
- Young children categorize themselves by age and gender, with categories becoming more complex as they age.
Carl Rogers' Components of Self-Concept
- Carl Rogers identified three components: self-image, self-esteem (self-worth), and ideal self.
- Self-image is how we see ourselves.
- Self-esteem is the value or love we give ourselves.
- Ideal self is what we wish or aspire to become.
Social Identity Theory
- Social Identity Theory explains identity in two parts: personal identity and social identity.
- Personal identity includes traits unique to an individual.
- Social identity includes groups we belong to within our community.
- The process of forming social identity involves three steps: categorization, identification, and social comparison.
- Categorization is grouping ourselves and others to simplify understanding.
- Identification is adopting behaviors and norms of the chosen group, linking self-esteem to group membership.
- Social comparison is evaluating our group relative to others to maintain self-esteem, which can influence prejudice.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Self-Concept — an individual's perception and evaluation of themselves.
- Existential Self — awareness of being a separate and constant entity.
- Categorical Self — recognition of belonging to groups based on characteristics.
- Self-Image — one's view of themselves.
- Self-Esteem (Self-Worth) — the value one assigns to themselves.
- Ideal Self — the person one wishes to become.
- Personal Identity — unique personal traits of an individual.
- Social Identity — group memberships that contribute to self-concept.
- Social Comparison — assessing ourselves against others or other groups.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review Carl Rogers' theory and Social Identity Theory.
- Prepare to explore self-esteem and its relation to identity in the next lecture.