Relationships Relationships and and

Body ImageBody ImageIdentity and self

Consider these two points of view – Consider these two points of view – which approach do you find yourself in which approach do you find yourself in most agreement with?most agreement with?“I am who I am because of the time and place I was

born and the culture I was raised in. My family gave me a set of values and so has my town, my religion, my community and my country. Add these all up and that’s who I am”

“I have got an identity – at least my friends seem to think so, but I’m not really sure who I am. I know that I’m more like some people than others, but this changes as I try out new identities. I don’t really want to take on an identity if it means I can’t be different when I want to be”

First ApproachFirst Approach“I am who I am because of the time and place I

was born and the culture I was raised in. My family gave me a set of values and so has my town, my religion, my community and my country. Add these all up and that’s who I am”

This view sees identity as a product of culture – we are fashioned by social and cultural forces together with a sort of genetic blueprint which moulds us into the individuals we are.

Second ApproachSecond Approach“I have got an identity – at least my friends seem to

think so, but I’m not really sure who I am. I know that I’m more like some people than others, but this changes as I try out new identities. I don’t really want to take on an identity if it means I can’t be different when I want to be”

This view has a different take on the relationship between culture and the individual. Here, culture provides a set of resources which we are free to use in the construction of our own identity. Rather than being fixed into place by powerful forces, identity is more like a butterfly.

The DebateThe DebateNeither is right or wrong

They represent two sides of a debate over the nature of identity

Components of IdentityComponents of Identity

CareerPolitical viewsReligious beliefsRelationshipsEthnic identityPersonalityBody image

SELFSELF

All the Characteristics of the Person

Self-concept: everything the person believes to be true about him/herself

Includes traits, preferences, social roles, values, beliefs, interests, self-categorization

Self-understanding develops throughout the lifespan

Self-Awareness in InfancySelf-Awareness in InfancyDot-of-rouge experimentRecognize selves in mirror at 15-18

months15-23 months◦ Personal pronoun use◦ Picture recognition◦ Self-referencing, ownership, self-monitoring

Self in Early ChildhoodSelf in Early ChildhoodConfusion of self, mind, and bodyConcrete descriptionsPhysical descriptionsActivities – what they doOverestimation of abilities

Self – Middle & Late ChildhoodSelf – Middle & Late Childhood

Shift to internal traits and abilitiesSocial role descriptionsReal and ideal selvesMore realistic about abilities

Perspective TakingPerspective TakingOpposite of egocentrism – the ability to

assume another’s perspectiveChildren who are good at this are

popularDevelopment progresses through stages

(Selman)

Self in AdolescenceSelf in AdolescenceAbstract-idealisticSelf-conscious/ preoccupiedContradictions within selfFluctuating picture across time/situationsPossible selvesSelf-integrations as they get older

Self in AdulthoodSelf in AdulthoodSelf-awareness (emotional intelligence)◦ Accept own good and bad qualities

Possible selves become more realisticLife review – evaluation of successes &

failures; more likely as you get older

Self-ConceptSelf-ConceptThis is the idea we have of ourselves as

individuals

Consists of 3 elements- SELF IMAGE- IDEAL SELF- SELF-ESTEEM

The Ideal Self The Ideal Self An easier concept in theory that is in in practice

Trying to probe the Ideal Self in any kind of public context results in gatekeeping: we filter out information that could cause negative perceptions

Usually get role models and the ideal self confused