CHD3243 EXAM 2 NOTES CH 6 10 Self Concept Identity Ethnicity and Gender Chapter 6 I Introduction a Erik Erikson finding an identity is the major life task of adolescence b Self part of an individual s personality that he she is aware of i Self Concept conscious cognitive perception and assessment of an individual of himself herself thoughts opinions about oneself 1 More limited than identity self concept is less complete or ii Self concept identity basis for self esteem how one feels about forward projecting oneself 1 i e self concept says I m athletic self esteem increases as a result II Self Concept and Self Esteem i Developing a self concept 1 Recognizing ourselves as a distinct separate individual ii 6 different selves who I really am who I think I am who others think I am who I think others think I am who I think I will become and who I think others want me to become iii Proprium all aspects of personality that make for inward unity coined by Allport iv Strang s 4 basic dimensions of self still used today 1 Overall basic self concept adolescent s view of their personality and perception of abilities status roles in outer world 2 Transitory self concepts influenced by mood of moment or recent continuing experience 3 Social self what I think others see 4 Ideal Self the kind of person an adolescent would like to be i Motivates and directs one s behavior ii Oyserman and Markus s adolescent possible selves different selves we envision ourselves becoming all in the future 1 Hoped for selves people we hope to be in the future 2 Expected selves people we think we will likely be in the future 3 Feared selves people we re afraid of becoming in the future 4 Lack of positive expected self unproductive antisocial behavior 5 Adolescent s possible selves influence delinquency tobacco use b Importance of a Good Self Concept c Self Esteem and alcohol consumption i Self esteem and self appraisal influenced by others body shapes motor social skills intellect etc ii Carl Rogers individuals discovery of who they are and what they perceive themselves to be they re able to accept themselves w o conflict iii Many life outcomes related to self esteem d Mental Health CHD3243 EXAM 2 NOTES CH 6 10 1 Low self esteem linked to depression suicidal behavior anxiety eating disorders often seen in adolescence a Some put on fa ade of confidence when they feel worthless b Shifting unstable identity self conscious vulnerable to criticism and rejection 2 High self esteem positive self perception long term mental health emotional well being ii Interpersonal Competence and Popularity 1 Self acceptance directly correlated with acceptance by others 2 Low self esteem due to poor social adjustment socially invisible persona lack of participation or opinion expression isolation etc 3 Experience role strain stress individuals feel when they re faced with competing demands and expectations a i e social status from excelling in sports parents pushing for iii Delinquency Criminal Behavior better grades 1 Kaplan proposed the self enhancement thesis explains delinquency as a need for troubled youth to enhance their self esteem a In order for low self esteem adolescents to feel better about themselves they associate with deviant teens who praise them for delinquent behavior b Disproved by many studies later on no link between certain direction of self esteem and delinquency 2 High self esteem not linked to aggression 3 High self esteem is NOT linked to delinquency 4 Narcissism is linked to delinquency e Development of a Positive Self Concept factors that contribute to achieving a a Narcissism trait of being excessively vain and self absorbed i Significant Others high level of importance influential meaningful opinions influence based on intimacy and social support they provide positive self concept ii Parents parents 1 Adolescents with higher self esteem greater intimacy with 2 Degree of maternal identification influences self concept adolescent girls close to their mothers see themselves as wise reasonable and self controlled a Father child and mother child relationships are different but equal in importance for adolescent development 3 Parental divorce conflict temporary decrease in adolescent self esteem iii Socioeconomic Status iv Race Ethnicity 1 Little effect but low SES lower self esteem 2 Adolescents often do poorly due to low SES lowered self esteem CHD3243 EXAM 2 NOTES CH 6 10 1 Kenneth Clark research study African American AA kids with lower self esteem than Caucasian kids 2 Post civil rights movement AA adolescents seen to have higher self esteem than all other groups including Caucasians a Lower self esteem recorded for them in integrated schools b Increase in self esteem with positive ethnic identity 3 Asian adolescents with lowest self esteem v Gender 1 In adolescence girls self esteem boys a Boys with higher personal self esteem and self satisfaction felt better about physical athletic abilities b Females still with higher scores in behavioral conduct and moral ethical self esteem c Girls self esteem tied more to physical attractiveness boys self esteem mostly related to achievements athletics vi Disabilities adolescents with physical mental disabilities negative body image harder to develop positive self concept vii Stress high stress low self esteem f Changes in Self Concept During Adolescence i Self esteem gradually stabilizes generally lower in early adolescence than in childhood ii Transition from elementary middle school is often stressful iii Self concept can change due to powerful forces positive or negative i Concept proposed by Erik Erikson identity formation making choices by exploring alternatives and committing to roles ii Identity unstable ongoing process of self reflection and change b Seven Conflicts 7 issues of primary important to fully form an identity i Temporal perspective vs time confusion 1 Estimating allocating your time to form self concept about how long it takes to achieve life plans ii Self certainty vs self consciousness 1 Developing self confidence based on past experiences 2 Increasing self awareness and self consciousness iii Role experimentation vs role fixation 1 Opportunities for experimenting with identities can help adolescent attain their true identity iv Apprenticeship vs work paralysis 1 Career large part in determining person s identity v Sexual polarization vs bisexual confusion 1 Erikson sexual polarization is necessary it s important for adolescents to develop
View Full Document
Unlocking...