2.3. Concept of Self

Self and personality refer to the characteristic ways in which we define our existence. They also refer to the ways in which our experiences are organised and show up in our behaviour. From common observation, we know that different people hold different ideas about themselves. These ideas represent the self of a person. We also know that different people behave in different ways in a given situation, but the behaviour of a particular person from one situation to another generally remains fairly stable. Such a relatively stable pattern of behaviour represents the 'personality' of that person. Thus, different persons seem to possess different personalities. These personalities are reflected in the diverse behaviour of persons.

The concept of self refers to how we identify and understand our own existence and experiences. It is personal, subjective, and varies from one individual to another. Each person's ideas about themselves are shaped by their experiences, feelings, and social interactions. When we say that someone's behaviour is stable across different situations, we are referring to their personality. Personality is essentially a collection of their character traits and behavioural patterns that remain relatively consistent over time. For example, if a person is generally cheerful and friendly, they are likely to behave that way in different situations, which constitutes part of their personality.

Think of the self as a painter's canvas. Each person's life experiences, emotions, and social interactions are like different colors and brushes used to paint on that canvas. Just as two canvases can look very different even if they are painted using the same colors, each person has a unique self, shaped by their individual experiences and personality.

How easy was it for you to complete the sentences starting with "I am"? Perhaps it was not as easy as you may have thought at first. While working on it, you were describing your 'self'. You are aware of your 'self' in the same way as you are aware of various objects in your surrounding environment.

Forming a self-concept involves self-reflection, where an individual examines their thoughts and feelings about themselves. This could include identifying personal traits, feelings, and beliefs about who they are. For example, filling out sentences like "I am kind" or "I am a student" can sometimes be challenging, as it requires deep introspection. This reflection helps solidify one's understanding of personal identity, which is crucial for self-awareness.

Imagine being asked to give a brief speech about yourself without any prompts. At first, it might feel daunting, as you might struggle to express who you are. This is similar to looking into a mirror and seeing not just your physical reflection but also your personality and traits. The clearer you see yourself, the more confident you become in expressing your identity.

Personal identity refers to those attributes of a person that make her/him different from others. When a person describes herself/himself by telling her/his name or qualities, s/he is discussing personal identity. Social identity refers to those aspects of a person that link her/him to a social or cultural group.

Personal identity is about the unique characteristics that define us as individuals, such as our names, specific qualities, and dreams. Social identity, on the other hand, connects us to larger social groups, such as cultural backgrounds, religions, or communities. For example, identifying as a 'student' or a 'member of a cultural group' reflects how we relate to the world around us, while personal identity might focus on individual traits like being 'creative' or 'thoughtful'.

Think of personal identity as a fingerprint; it is unique to you and cannot be copied. In contrast, social identity is like a club membership; it connects you with others who share similar interests or backgrounds. While everyone has a unique fingerprint, they might belong to various clubs and groups at the same time.

The totality of an individual’s conscious experiences, ideas, thoughts and feelings with regard to herself/himself defines the self. These experiences and ideas define the existence of an individual both at the personal and at social levels.

The self encompasses everything an individual consciously thinks about and feels regarding their identity. This includes personal thoughts, experiences, emotions, and how one perceives themselves in different contexts. Understanding the self on both personal and social levels is essential because it influences how individuals interact with others and make decisions in their lives. For instance, a person might feel confident about their skills in a professional setting (personal level) but identify as part of a team group during collaborative work (social level).

Imagine a tree with deep roots and a wide canopy. The roots symbolize the core aspects of your personal identity, while the branches represent your social connections and identities. Just as the tree's strength comes from both the roots and the canopy, a person's self is robust when both personal and social identities are well-defined and integrated.

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