Understanding the Self

Outline

1. Introduction
2. Definition of self
3. Cultural Differences on the Self
4. Characteristics of self
5. Theories of Self
5.1 Mead's theory of the social self
5.2 Theory of Looking Glass Self
6. Functions of the self
7. Conclusion
1. Introduction
Human beings have a self- that is, they are able to look back on themselves as both
subjects and objects in the universe. Ultimately, this brings questions about who we are
and the nature of our own importance.
The selfis the subject of one's own experience of phenomena: perception, emotions,
and thoughts. The self is therefore an "immediate given", an intrinsic dimension of the
fact of experiencing phenomena.
The philosophy of self seeks to describe essential qualities that constitute a person's
uniqueness or essential being.
The psychology of self is the study of either the cognitive and affective representation
of one's identity or the subject of experience.
2. Definition of self

Self is defined as the sum of a complex, organized, and dynamic system of learned beliefs,
attitudes and opinions that each person holds to be true about his or her personal existence.
 3. Cultural Differences on the Self
The self is constantly evolving due to the complexities of cultures and societies.
Researchers have shown that the self is dependent on the culture that the self has been
situated around.
The self can be redefined as a dynamic, responsive process that structures neural
pathways according to past and present environments including material, social, and
spiritual aspects.

4. Characteristics of self
Self is learnt in the sense that we are not born with it; self is gradually shaped and
re-shaped by people who influence us.
Self is organized. Most researchers agree that self-concept is generally
characterized by orderliness and harmony.
It is this organized quality of self that gives consistency to the personality.
Success and failure have an impact on self making it dynamic and ever
developing. In the healthy personality, there is constant assimilation of new ideas
and expulsion of old ideas throughout life, which make it dynamic.

5. Theories of Self

5.1 Mead's theory of the social self

Sociologist George Herbert Mead argued that, through the process of role-taking,
individuals develop a concept of self. Mead suggested that self consciousness emerges in
three evolutionary stages:
The imitative stages occurs about the second year of life during which time the young
child mimics the mannerisms and behavioral patterns of his parents and significant
others.
The play stage occurs about third year during which child assumes the role of significant
others, for example, playing mother, father etc.
 The game stage when the child assumes the attitudes of several people comprising the
social group.
The third stage is very complex and indicates real maturity in consciousness of the self and
others.
With an awareness of self, individuals are able to see themselves as others see them. When they
take the role of others, they observe themselves from that standpoint and become aware of the
views of themselves that others hold. This provides the basis for cooperative action in the
society.
5.2 Theory of Looking Glass Self
The looking glass self is a social psychological concept, created by Charles Horton
Cooley in 1902.
The concept of the looking glass self demonstrates that self-relation, or how one views
oneself is not a solitary phenomenon, but rather includes others.

Cooley states that society and individuals do not denote separable phenomena, but are
simply collective and distributive aspects of the same thing.

Developmentally, Cooley theorizes that human beings possess an inherent tendency to

reach out, interact, or socialize with those people and objects that surround them.

As we see our face, figure, and dress in the glass, and are interested in them because they
are ours, and pleased or otherwise with them according as they do or do not answer to
what we should like them to be; so in imagination we perceive in anothers mind some
thought of our appearance, manners, aims, deeds, character, friends, and so on, and are
variously affected by it.

A self-idea of this sort seems to have three principle elements:

1) The imagination of our appearance to the other person
2) The imagination of his judgment of that appearance
3) Some sort of self-feeling such as pride or mortification.
The process by which self-feeling of the looking glass sort develops in children may be
followed without much difficulty. Studying the movements of others as closely as they do
they soon see a connection between their own acts and changes in those movements; that
is they perceive their own influence or power over persons.
6. Functions of the self
Communication the self serves as an object of communication.
Analysis of the situation the self enables the individual to analyze each situation and to
decide what line of action to take.
Self direction and self control the individual can act toward himself in much the
same way he acts towards others.
Self judgment the individual evaluates his self-image in terms of his experience with
others.
Identity in the process of social interaction and experience, the self receives the labels,
names and other aspects of identity which others have for us and transforms them as our
own.
Mind and problem - solving the self activates the mind. Because of mind, human
begins develop an active relationship to their environment.

7. Conclusion

Self understanding helps to understand who you are as a person, to assess your strengths,
weaknesses, talents and potential.
It helps to identify the ability of honesty with yourself and be true to who you are and what
you value. It helps to take responsibility for your choices and actions.
It helps to love and accept yourself as you know that you can improve and develop any
aspects of yourself that you choose.

References:

1.http://study.com/academy/lesson/self-understanding-and-self-concept.html

2.http://www.actionresearch.net/living/rawalpdf/Chapter7.pdf

3. Abraham Francis, M. Modern Sociological Theories. Oxford University Press, 1983.