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Chapter 1 MODULE 1 (EED1)

This document discusses knowing oneself through self-reflection. It explains that self-reflection involves understanding both our inherent nature as well as how we are influenced by our environment and society. The document outlines four dimensions that shape our identity: social factors, environmental factors, hereditary factors, and personal volition. It advocates that effective self-reflection requires openness, finding an approach that suits you such as reflective writing or drawing, and being kind to oneself as the practice develops over time.

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Lara Mariz Fragata
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46 views

Chapter 1 MODULE 1 (EED1)

This document discusses knowing oneself through self-reflection. It explains that self-reflection involves understanding both our inherent nature as well as how we are influenced by our environment and society. The document outlines four dimensions that shape our identity: social factors, environmental factors, hereditary factors, and personal volition. It advocates that effective self-reflection requires openness, finding an approach that suits you such as reflective writing or drawing, and being kind to oneself as the practice develops over time.

Uploaded by

Lara Mariz Fragata
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 1

Module 1
Knowing Oneself

Social, Environmental, and other Life Factors (S.E.L.F.)

 Nature vs. Nurture

Nature differs from Nurture, since in Nature, a person develops his/her


characteristics biologically (something that has developed starting from the birth of
the child), while in Nurture, a person develops his/her characteristics through the
external factors, such as the environment and the society (family, friends, relatives,
etc.).

 Identity vs. Self

Identity, also, differs from Self, as what the readings say, Identities are “qualities,
characteristics, beliefs, opinions, etc., that make a person unique from others.” These
is what is distinguishable by others, or what they perceive to us through our
actions. Self, on the other hand, is the “person of himself/herself,” meaning, it is what
the others didn’t see in you, because this is personal character; this is what makes up
a person.

 Dimensionalities of the Self/Identity

There are 4 different dimensionalities of self, namely social factor, environmental


factor, hereditary factor, and person-volition factor.

Social factors are the factors in the development of a person which includes all the
person around us, like our family members, relatives, friends, teachers or professors,
and even strangers, that might create an impression to you or affects your actions
and thoughts in life.

Environmental factors are the factors in the development of a person that includes
the environmental structure, events, and such, which might give an impact on how a
person could grow in all the aspects of his/her life.

Hereditary factors are the factors in the development of the person that includes
biological changes and events, such as growth in height, puberty (growing of pubic
hair, deeper voices for male, broadening of hips and start of menstruation for female,
etc.) that usually affects the physical characteristics of a person. Lastly, the
Person-volition factors are the inclination of a person creates a social construct
which sets him apart to others.

It is part of the human condition to be introspective and to have a desire to gain


a better understanding of ourselves.

Indeed, as many great thinkers throughout history have noted, it is precisely our self-
consciousness and our ability to know ourselves, that sets us apart from other species on
the planet.

As British psychotherapist Alison Rickard puts it, our reflective thinking can be “the
combined voice of the best teacher and supervisor we ever had”.

Three key secrets to effective self-reflection…

1) Open up and be willing to take -action

Effective self-reflection has at its core a willingness to be open with oneself; to


allow oneself to dig deep and critically consider the inner workings of one’s minds, habits
and behaviors.

This openness creates a space for messages to come forward, whether these are words,
images, colors or emotions, and can allow you to build a deeper understanding of yourself
and your unconscious mind.

However, as Twentieth century Brazilian educator and philosopher Paulo Freire says, that
“reflection without action is sheer verbalism or armchair revolution and action without
reflection is pure activism, or action for actions sake”.

Self-reflection therefore needs to include a call to action and possible next steps for taking
the learning forward.
2) Find the Approach that Suits You

There are so many techniques out there can be used to look back, reflect on current reality
and to vision ahead, and we are all unique in terms of the approaches to self-reflection that
suit us best and produce the greatest learning.

The following approaches are examples of the many options you can experiment with and
evaluate:

Reflective writing – this provides the opportunity to review experiences objectively at a


time when you are not impacted by conditioned or instinctive emotional responses. In their
2006 paper US medics Johanna Shapiro, Deborah Kasman and Audrey Shafer consider that
reflective writing nurtures characteristics including narrative competence, emotional
equilibrium, self-healing capacity and well-being.

The practice of writing reflectively is analytical in nature and requires us to describe an


event, our thoughts and feelings together with the new insights gained and what we would
do differently as a result.

Storytelling – There is evidence that storytelling and the metaphors created within stories
can support the stimulation of change in individuals. Self-disclosure through story telling
can also encourage openness in cultures that close down emotions. Metaphors can enable
us to draw out unconscious judgements, bias and assumptions we hold about ourselves,
others and the organizations in which we work.

American sociolinguist William Labov, evidenced that stories are often told for the purpose
of communicating about important dilemmas and problem situations. In telling the story
Labov argued the storyteller’s perspective on the dilemma or problem and how the
storyteller viewed the resolution becomes clearer. Indeed, in telling the story the teller
communicates what it was like to be within the story as actual experience. These stories
can then be reanalysed to gain new understanding.

Reflective Drawing – Within the visual arts world a journal is used to capture visual
language and drawn images which are related to reflecting on issues and challenges. These
images can be invented or collected from the environment surrounding you. Reflective
drawing can also be used to consider a hypothetical challenge or dilemma. Doodling and
abstract drawings are other alternative forms which can be used to express thoughts and
feelings. You don’t need to be a talented artist to benefit from this approach.

The power of using drawing to self-reflect is that your images tell a story that has meaning
for you. For some people a seemingly ritualistic destroying of an image reinforces a
learning. For others, images they create are given prominence in their study or office as
reminder of the journey they have been on and the learning they have achieved.

3) Be kind to yourself

The capacity to develop our ability to self-reflect, and it would go a step further and state
that it is a crucial element of our ongoing development as leaders, managers and coaches.

But building a reflective practice is a difficult and challenging undertaking. Like any skill,
it takes time, commitment and practice if we are to become effective practitioners and
enhance our own self-regulatory process.

And so third and final learning is that if you choose to self-reflect be kind to yourself and
patient as you develop your practice.

This is a brave, courageous journey that has no destination – but it is an adventure we must
undertake if we are committed to being the best that we can be.

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