3 THE SELF AS A COGNITIVE CONSTRUCT
THIS LESSON PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF THE
THEMS OF PYSCHOLOGY REGARDING THECONCEPT
OF "SELF"
Cognitive psychology- concerned with mental
processes [as perception, thinking, learning, and
memory] especially with respect to the internal
events occurring between sensing and the expression
of behaviour.
Cognition- the mental processes involved in gaining
knowledge & comprehension. It includes thinking,
knowing, remembering, judging and problem-solving.
These are higher-level functions of the brain and
encompass language, imagination, perception, and
planning.
In psychology- the self is defined as "the sense of
personal identity and of who we are as individuals."
William James [1890] conceptualized the self as:
"I"- the thinking, acting, and feeling self.
"Me"- the physical characteristics, capabilities
In Carl Roger' [1915] Theory of Personality:
"I" – the one who acts and decides
"Me"- what you think or feel about yourself
Another concept of the self is IDENTITY/SELF-
CONCEPT:
Identity/ self-concept - composed of personal
characteristics, social, roles, responsibilities.
-it is what comes to your mind when asked about
who you are.
-it is not fixed in one time frame
Rogers captured this idea in his concept as SELF-
SCHEMA, our organized system or collection of
knowledge about who we are. The self-schema
includes your hobbies, family, religion, nationality,
interest, work, course, age name, etc.
As you grow and adapt to the changes around you,
they also change
They actively shape and effect how you see, think,
and feel, about things.
Psychological theories see the self and identity as
mental constructs, created, and recreated in
memory. Current researches point to the frontal lobe
of the brain as the area associated with processes
concerning the self.
One influential psychologist of our generation is
Sigmund Freud, he sees the self and the mind as a
result of interaction between these 3 parts:
Id- the instinctual part of the mind that contains
sexual and aggressive drives and hidden memories. It
is selfish and wishful in nature. Illogical and fantasy
oriented.
Ego- the realistic part that mediates between the
desires of their and the super-ego. Modified by the
direct influence of the external world. The decision-
making component of personality.
Superego - operates as a moral conscience. Applies
the values of society which are learned from one's
parents and others.
The theory of Symbolic Interactionism [G.H Mead]
argues that the self is created & developed through
human interaction. We are social products because:
1. We do not create ourselves out of nothing
2. We need others to affirm and rein force who
we think we are.
3. What's important to us is influenced by our
social/historical context.
When we are aware of our self concepts, that is
called SELF-AWARENESS .The 2 types of self we can
be aware of are:
1. The private self- your internal private thoughts and
feelings
2. The public self/image- geared to having a good
presentation of yourself to others.
-Carver & Scheier [1981]
Self awareness presents us three other self- schema:
1. Actual self- who you are the moment
2. Ideal self- who you like to be
3. Ought self – who you think you should be
[responsibilities, etc]
Self-awareness can be positive or negative
At the other times, we may experience "loss of
individual self- awareness and accountability in
groups. A lot of people attune themselves with the
emotions of their group .Being in large crowd may
lessen our self-control.
Social relationship affect our self –esteem through
social comparison. In this theory, we learn about
ourselves, the appropriateness of our behaviours ,as
well as our status, by comparing ourselves to other
people.
Downward Social Comparison- is a common type of
comparing ourselves to others. We create a positive
self – concept by comparing ourselves with those
who are WORSE than us.
Upward Social Comparison- is comparing ourselves
with those who are better than us. It can be
MOTIVATION for some, but it could also LOWER
YOUR SELF -ESTEEM because it shows your
weaknesses.
These also occur not only in individuals but also in
groups.
Social comparison is connected to the self
–evaluation maintenance theory , states that we
feel THREATENED when someone out-performs us,
or does better than us. Especially when that person is
close peer/partner/friend.
We usually act in 3ways in these situations:
1. We distance ourselves from the person.
2. We reconsider the aspect or skill you were
out performed in.
3. We try to improve that aspect of ourselves.
But then, sometimes to increase or maintain self-
esteem , some may become NARCISSITIC. Meaning:
overly high self-esteem-admiration, self-
centeredness.
There is difference between self-esteem and
narcissism. People with high self-esteem are usually
outgoing. Adventures, adaptable in a lot of
situations. But they could also be bullies and
experiment on abusive behaviour, drugs, alcohol, etc.
