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2.3.1 - Self as Subject and Self as Object

Interactive Audio Lesson

Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.

Introduction to Self

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we are going to explore the concept of 'self.' Can anyone tell me what they understand by 'self'?

Student 1
Student 1

I think it’s about who I am as a person, like my personality and traits.

Teacher
Teacher

Good point! The concept of self indeed encapsulates our personal identity. Now, how do you think our self is shaped?

Student 2
Student 2

Maybe through our experiences with other people?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Our self develops through interactions with significant others — family, friends, and society. This leads to our understanding of 'social identity' as well.

Student 3
Student 3

What about self-esteem? How does that fit in?

Teacher
Teacher

Self-esteem is how we value ourselves within those identities. A healthy self-esteem affects our behavior positively.

Student 4
Student 4

So, it’s really important for confidence?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! A strong self-esteem contributes to resilience and adaptability in various situations.

Self as Subject vs. Self as Object

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Teacher
Teacher

Now let's discuss the distinction between self as subject and self as object. Who can explain this difference to me?

Student 1
Student 1

I think self as subject is when we act and think about ourselves as individuals.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Well done. And self as object?

Student 2
Student 2

That would be how others view us, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Precisely! This duality helps us navigate our identities — we are both the knower and the known. Let’s remember this with the acronym 'S-O' for Subject-Object!

Student 3
Student 3

How does this connect to personality?

Teacher
Teacher

Great question! Personality is essentially the consistent pattern of our behaviors, reflecting this duality of self across different situations.

Student 4
Student 4

So our self influences our personality?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Our personal and social identities shape how we develop psychologically and interact with the world.

Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s dive deeper into self-esteem and self-efficacy. Can anyone define self-esteem for us?

Student 1
Student 1

Self-esteem is how we judge our own worth.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! And what about self-efficacy?

Student 2
Student 2

I think it’s about believing in our ability to succeed.

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect! Thinking about these, both are essential for regulating our behaviors and achieving our goals.

Student 3
Student 3

Can you give an example of how this works?

Teacher
Teacher

Sure! A person with high self-efficacy will set challenging goals and persist where someone with lower self-efficacy might give up easily.

Student 4
Student 4

So building these is crucial for personal growth?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Cultivating a positive self-image and a sustained belief in one’s abilities is vital.

Types of Self

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s categorize the different types of selves we discussed earlier. Who can share them?

Student 1
Student 1

There is the personal self, the social self, and the relational self!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Now, how do they differ from each other?

Student 2
Student 2

The personal self is individual traits, while the social self is about group identity.

Teacher
Teacher

Great! And the relational self?

Student 3
Student 3

It’s how we connect with others in relationships.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Identifying these helps us understand our interactions in various contexts. Remember the acronym 'P-S-R'!

Student 4
Student 4

Can these selves conflict sometimes?

Teacher
Teacher

Yes, they can! Balancing these identities is essential for a healthy personality.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section explores the concepts of self and personality, emphasizing the dual nature of self as both subject and object.

Standard

The section defines 'self' as both the individual’s personal identity and how one is perceived socially. It presents the concept of personality as a reflection of stable behavioral patterns over time and discusses various approaches to studying personality, including the distinction between self as subject (the active knower) and self as object (the observed entity).

Detailed

Youtube Videos

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Self as Subject and Self as Object. PSYCHOLOGY Class 12 Chapter 2 Self and Personality
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Chapter 2 : Self and Personality | Class 12 Psychology | One Shot | Full Chapter | Psych Shots
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Class 12 Psychology Chapter 2 - Self & Personality 05 | CBSE/NCERT - Assessment of Personality
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Class 12 Psychology Chapter-2 Self and Personality | Full explanation with notes | CBSE Boards, CUET
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Concept of Self - Self & Personality | Class 12 Psychology Chapter 2
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Cognitive and Behavioural Aspects of Self - Self & Personality | Class 12 Psychology Chapter 2
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Self as Subject And Self as Object | Kinds of Self | Psychology Class 12 Chapter 2
Class 12 Psychology Chapter 2 - Self & Personality 03 | CBSE/NCERT Approach to learn personality
Class 12 Psychology Chapter 2 - Self & Personality 03 | CBSE/NCERT Approach to learn personality
Class 12 Psychology Chapter 2 - Self & Personality 04 | CBSE/NCERT Psychodynamic approach
Class 12 Psychology Chapter 2 - Self & Personality 04 | CBSE/NCERT Psychodynamic approach
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Class 12 Psychology Chapter 2 - Self & Personality - 01 - | CBSE/NCERT

Audio Book

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Understanding the Self

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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.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk introduces the concepts of self and personality. The 'self' is how individuals perceive and define themselves, including their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. On the other hand, 'personality' reflects a consistent pattern of behaviors and traits that are stable across different situations. For instance, if someone is generally shy, that characteristic typically appears whether they are at a party or in a classroom, demonstrating their personality. Each individual's self-concept influences their personality and vice versa.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a student who is known to be hardworking and responsible. In various situations like group projects, exams, or class discussions, their consistent diligence reflects their personality. Even when stressed, they tend to keep working hard, showing that their self-concept (seeing themselves as responsible) aligns with their personality traits.

Personal vs. Social Identity

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Different persons seem to possess different personalities. These personalities are reflected in the diverse behaviour of persons. 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 (e.g., I am Sanjana), or her/his qualities (e.g., I am honest), or her/his potentialities (e.g., I am a singer), s/he is describing her/his personal self. Social identity refers to aspects that link her/him to a social or cultural group.

Detailed Explanation

In this section, personal and social identities are differentiated. Personal identity includes unique traits and characteristics that define an individual, while social identity involves how one relates to groups based on culture, religion, or ethnicity. For instance, a person might identify as a college student (social identity) but might also describe themselves as creative and a leader (personal identity). Understanding this distinction helps in recognizing how our individual characteristics interact with our social roles.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a football player who sees himself as a champion (personal identity), but when he wears his team's jersey, he also feels a strong sense of belonging to his team and its culture (social identity). This duality often affects how they behave in and out of matches.

Self as Subject and Object

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You will find that they have described themselves either as an entity that does something (e.g., I am a dancer) or as an entity on which something is done (e.g., I am one who easily gets hurt). In the former case, the self is described as a 'subject' (who does something); in the latter case, the self is described as an 'object' (which gets affected). This means that self can be understood as a subject as well as an object.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk explains the dual nature of the self. When we see ourselves as subjects, we recognize our agency and actions—like saying, 'I am a leader.' In contrast, viewing oneself as an object indicates how we perceive external influences or effects on us—like saying, 'I am someone who gets anxious under pressure.' This complex understanding of self helps in reflecting on personal growth and responding to external circumstances.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a teacher who views themselves as an 'influencer' of students (subject). Conversely, they might also recognize that they feel overwhelmed by the expectations of students and school administration (object). Balancing both views can lead to personal development and effective emotional regulation.

Dual Status of Self

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When you say, 'I know who I am,' the self is being described as a 'knower' as well as something that can be 'known'. As a subject (actor), the self actively engages in the process of knowing itself. As an object (consequence), the self gets observed and comes to be known. This dual status of self should always be kept in mind.

Detailed Explanation

Here, the focus is on the idea that we can be both the knower and that which is known. This engages us in self-reflection—understanding our abilities and feelings while also being aware of how we present ourselves to the world. It implies that personal growth involves recognizing not just our actions (knower) but also the perceptions others have of us (known).

Examples & Analogies

Think about an athlete who knows they are dedicated and hardworking (knower). However, they also realize that their teammates see them as inspirational and driven (known). This reflection can motivate them to continue improving while also recognizing their influence on others.

Identifying Different Selves

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There are several kinds of self. They get formed as a result of our interactions with our physical and socio-cultural environments. The first elements of self may be noticed when a newborn child cries for milk when it is hungry. Although this cry is based on reflex, it later on leads to development of awareness that 'I am hungry'. The biological self in the context of socio-cultural environment modifies itself.

Detailed Explanation

This chunk discusses how an individual's self is developed through environmental interactions, highlighting the biological self and its evolution. The first act of a newborn, crying for milk, is instinctive. As the child grows, they learn to associate this basic need with the concept of 'self' and recognition of hunger, which is their early awareness. This demonstrates that our environment shapes the understanding of who we are.

Examples & Analogies

For instance, consider a toddler who learns to express their feelings of hunger. Initially, they might just cry, but later they can articulate, 'I am hungry' or even demand specific foods. This process illustrates how interactions with caregivers aid in the development of self-awareness and identity.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Self: A conscious understanding of oneself.

  • Personal Identity: The traits and qualities that define an individual.

  • Social Identity: Identification with social or cultural groups.

  • Self-Esteem: Value judgment about oneself.

  • Self-Efficacy: Confidence in one’s capability to achieve goals.

  • Self-Regulation: Capacity to control and manage one’s behavior.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • A student believes they can do well in an exam, which reflects their self-efficacy.

  • Someone who identifies strongly with their cultural group exemplifies a strong social identity.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • To know thyself is the best wealth, / For self-esteem brings joy and health.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a young athlete who believes she can win races (high self-efficacy), but doubts her worth (low self-esteem). As she builds her confidence, she starts winning, ultimately discovering her self-worth.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • P-S-R: Personal, Social, Relational – types of self to remember!

🎯 Super Acronyms

Remember 'S-O' for Subject-Object to distinguish our role in knowing and being known.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Self

    Definition:

    An individual's conscious experiences, ideas, thoughts, and feelings regarding themselves.

  • Term: Personal Identity

    Definition:

    Attributes that define an individual’s sense of self and distinguish them from others.

  • Term: Social Identity

    Definition:

    Aspects of a person's identity derived from their social or cultural group affiliations.

  • Term: Selfesteem

    Definition:

    An individual’s self-judgment about their own value or worth.

  • Term: Selfefficacy

    Definition:

    The belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations.

  • Term: Selfregulation

    Definition:

    The ability to manage and adjust one's behavior in response to external demands.

  • Term: Subject and Object

    Definition:

    Refers to the dual perspective of the self: as the 'knower' (subject) and as the entity known (object).