Understanding The Self

Positive Psychology o AGGRESSIVE DRIVE – The compulsion to destroy,

conquer, or kill.
Definition of Psychology Philosophical Perspective
 The scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Development
 Historically focused on curing mental illness.  Epigenetic Principle – Step-by-step process. Definition of Philosophy
Positive Psychology Overview  Psychological Crisis – Each stage involves two opposing emotional  From Greek words “Philo” (love) and “Sophia” (wisdom).
 Scientific study of happiness, well-being, and flourishing. forces.  Philosophers seek truth and understanding of life.
 Founded by Dr. Martin Seligman.  Virtue – The potential positive outcomes arising from each crisis stage. Key Philosophers and Their Ideas
Key Concepts
Stages of Psychosocial Development  Socrates – Socratic Method; “Know thyself.”
 Learned Helplessness – Feeling powerless after repeated failure. 1. Trust vs. Mistrust (0-1.5 years old) – Developing trust in caregivers;  Plato – The soul is the essence of man.
 Learned Optimism – Training the mind to develop positive thinking. success leads to the virtue of hope.
 Flourishing – The optimal state of mental health.  Aristotle – Three types of soul: vegetative, sentient, rational.
2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (1.5-3 years old) – Developing
 Languishing – A state of emotional stagnation.  Confucius – The Golden Rule: “Do not do unto others what you do not
personal control; success leads to the virtue of will.
PERMA-V Model want others do unto you.”
3. Initiative vs. Guilt (3-5 years old) – Developing a sense of initiative;
1. Positivity – Positive emotions improve well-being. success leads to the virtue of purpose.
 St. Augustine – The self is known through knowing God (Imago Dei).
2. Engagement – Being fully immersed in activities. 4. Industry vs. Inferiority (5-12 years old) – Building self-esteem;  Descartes – “I think, therefore I am.”
3. Relationships – Positive relationships increase happiness.  John Locke – Tabula Rasa (blank slate); self is built from experiences.
success leads to the virtue of confidence.
4. Meaning – Finding purpose in life.
5. Achievement – Setting and achieving goals.
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 years old) – Searching for  David Hume – “There is no self.”
6. Vitality – Energy and well-being from healthy living. identity; success leads to the virtue of fidelity.  Immanuel Kant – The self constructs its own reality.
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (18-40 years old) – Developing relationships;
success leads to the virtue of love.
7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (40-65 years old) – Contributing to
Psychological Perspective Sociological Perspective
society; success leads to the virtue of care.
8. Ego Integrity vs. Despair (65+ years old) – Reflecting on life;
Sigmund Freud’s Theory of Personality Theories of Social Interaction
success leads to the virtue of wisdom.
A. Sigmund Freud
James Marcia’s Identity Statuses  Social Exchange Theory – Relationships based on rewards vs. costs.
 Well known for his 3 layers of self: the id, ego, and superego, all 1. Identity Foreclosure – Blindly accepting values and beliefs from  Social Construction of Reality – Reality is shaped through social
developing at different stages in our lives. parents and others. interactions.
 The “id” operates on the PLEASURE PRINCIPLE, which is the idea 2. Identity Diffusion – Not yet exploring possible identities.  Looking Glass Self (Cooley) – We see ourselves based on how
that every wishful impulse should be satisfied immediately, regardless 3. Identity Moratorium – Actively exploring identity due to a crisis. others perceive us.
of the consequences. 4. Identity Achievement – Committing to an explored identity.  Mead’s Self Theory – Develops through preparatory, play, and game
 The “ego” develops to mediate between the unrealistic id and the William James' Concept of Self stages.
external real world. It is the decision-making component of personality  I-Self – The thinking self; reflects the soul or pure ego.  Goffman’s Impression Management – People control how others
or the REALITY PRINCIPLE.  Me-Self – The empirical self, divided into material, social, and spiritual perceive them.
 The “superego” incorporates the values and morals of society, which self.  Dramaturgy – Life as a stage; we present different faces in different
are learned from one's parents and others. Also known as MORALITY Carl Rogers' Self-Theory situations.
PRINCIPLE.  Defines self as a flexible and changing perception of personal identity. Elements of Social Structure
 The “superego” consists of two systems: The conscience and the  The closer the ideal self is to the real self, the more fulfilled a person  Status – Ascribed (born with) vs. Achieved (earned).
ideal self.
becomes.  Master Status – The dominant social identity.
Propelling Forces of Personality
1. Instinct – Mental representations of internal stimuli, such as hunger,
Albert Bandura’s Human Agency  Roles – Expected behaviors for a given status.
that drive a person to take certain actions.
 Defines human agency as the ability to exert influence over one’s own  Role Conflict – Incompatible expectations from different roles.
functioning.
2. Life Instinct – Drive for ensuring survival of the individual and the
species by satisfying the needs for food, water, air, and sex.  Four Core Properties of Human Agency:
o Includes LIBIDO, which drives a person toward pleasurable 1. Intentionality – Forming intentions and action plans.
2. Forethought – Setting goals and anticipating outcomes.
behaviors and thoughts.
3. Self-reactiveness – Managing and motivating oneself.
o LIBIDO can be attached to or invested in objects, a concept 4. Self-reflection – Examining one’s own thoughts and actions.
Freud called CATHEXIS.  Types of Human Agency:
3. Death Instinct – Unconscious drive toward decay, destruction, and
o Personal – Direct individual control.
aggression.
o Proxy – Influence through others.
o Collective – Group action toward a common goal.