2B - Development and Characteristics of the Self
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Self in Infancy
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In infancy, babies aren't born with an awareness of themselves. At birth, they don't recognize that they exist separately from their surroundings. This is known as a lack of self-awareness.
So how does a baby realize they're different from others?
Good question! Self-awareness begins to develop when infants can recognize their reflection in a mirror, typically around 18 months. They start using pronouns like 'I' and 'mine'.
What experiment can show this self-recognition?
An interesting experiment involves placing a dot on a baby's forehead and showing them a mirror. If they touch their forehead, they recognize that it's their reflection.
That's fascinating! So babies start to know themselves through these experiences?
Exactly! This recognition lays the foundation for identity development.
Self in Early Childhood
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As children enter early childhood, around age 3, they begin to verbalize their self-concept using simple descriptions.
What kind of descriptions are they using?
They often describe themselves using physical characteristics, like 'I am tall', or by activities they can do, such as 'I can ride a bike'.
Do they compare themselves to others at this stage?
Not as much. Their self-descriptions are based on absolute terms rather than comparisons. This is the concrete phase of self-description.
Do they ever underestimate themselves?
Yes, young children sometimes overestimate their abilities. This confidence is part of their developing identity.
Self in Middle Childhood
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In middle childhood, children's self-descriptions become more sophisticated. They start thinking about their internal characteristics.
So they talk about their emotions and personality traits?
Correct! For instance, they might say, 'I'm good at making friends'. This marks a shift towards a more social and comparative view of themselves.
What do you mean by 'social descriptions'?
They start identifying with groups, saying things like 'I am in the basketball team'. This also reflects their social identity.
Are they also aware of their 'ideal self' versus 'real self' at this stage?
Yes, they begin distinguishing between who they are and who they want to be. This is important for future identity development.
Self in Adolescence
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Adolescence is a crucial period for identity formation. Many adolescents experience what's known as an identity crisis.
What causes these identity crises?
Three key factors contribute: an intense preoccupation with self, societal expectations, and rapid biological changes.
Isn't it normal for teens to feel conflicted about their identity?
Yes, and it's important to note that these feelings are part of the development process. They fluctuate between different self-descriptions.
How do cultural differences play into this?
Cultural contexts can shape how adolescents cope with these challenges. For instance, independence is emphasized in Western cultures, while interdependence is valued in many non-Western cultures.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
The section explores the evolution of self-awareness and identity from infancy, through early and middle childhood, to adolescence. It highlights the gradual recognition of the self in infants, the complex self-descriptions of children, and the identity crises faced by adolescents as they develop a multifaceted sense of self influenced by various factors.
Detailed
Development and Characteristics of the Self
The development of the self is a dynamic process that occurs across different stages of life, from infancy to adolescence. At birth, infants lack self-awareness, gradually emerging as they recognize themselves as separate entities. Self-awareness becomes noticeable around 18 months when children start to use personal pronouns like 'I' and 'me', indicating a developing self-concept.
In early childhood, children articulate their identities primarily through physical traits and abilities, lacking the capacity for complex self-evaluation. As children reach middle childhood, their self-descriptions evolve to include internal attributes and comparisons to peers.
Adolescence is a critical period for identity formation, marked by an increased focus on understanding oneself within social and cultural contexts. Adolescents often experience identity crises due to societal expectations and rapid physical and emotional changes. The complexity of self does not only manifest in self-perceptions but also in ideal versus real self, and heightened self-consciousness.
Understanding these developmental stages is crucial as it lays the foundation for a stable identity and self-esteem, impacting personal interactions and social relationships.
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Key Concepts
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Self: The unique aspect of an individual that distinguishes them from others.
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Self-concept: Summary of personal traits, beliefs, and identity.
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Identity crisis: Period of uncertainty during adolescence.
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Social identity: Connection to groups and cultures that influence one's self-perception.
Examples & Applications
A toddler pointing to themselves in a mirror is an example of developing self-awareness.
A child saying 'I'm the fastest runner in my family' demonstrates their emerging social identity.
Memory Aids
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Rhymes
In infancy, babies don't see, who they are, not yet free.
Stories
Once upon a time, a baby named Sam saw a mirror for the first time and didn't recognize the smiling face. But as days passed, Sam discovered that the face in the mirror was truly theirs, initiating the journey of self-discovery.
Memory Tools
Just think S.I.P. for Self, Identity, and Personality — key aspects of understanding who we are.
Acronyms
R.I.S.E. for Real self, Ideal self, Social identity, and Emotional awareness — the pillars of adolescent identity.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Self
The sense of who a person is and what makes them distinct from others.
- Selfawareness
Recognition of one's own existence and the ability to differentiate oneself from the environment.
- Selfconcept
The overall idea a person has about who they are, including beliefs, feelings, and self-descriptions.
- Identity crisis
A period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person's sense of self becomes insecure, often occurring during adolescence.
- Social identity
Parts of an individual's identity derived from group memberships.
- Ideal self
The version of oneself that an individual aspires to be.
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