The Self

1

• The Self

• OVERVIEW
• Self-concept and self-esteem in adolescence and
  emerging adulthood
• Emotional variability
• Globalization and identity issues

2
Self-reflection in Adolescence

• Enhanced cognitive capacity and brain development
  in adolescence means that adolescents change in
  their
• self-conceptions
• self-esteem
• emotional understanding

3
Adolescent Self-image

• Much of this work done by Susan Harter
• As begin to view themselves in terms of personal
  beliefs and standards (less in terms of social
  comparisons)
• As evaluate selves both globally and along
  several distinct dimensions
• e.g., physical appearance scholastic athletic
  competence (see Table 6.1 on Harters
  Self-Perception Profile)
• Multiple role-related selves (classmates
  presentation)

4
Self-esteem

• The term Self-esteem was first coined by Wm
  James in the late 19th century.
• Self-esteem more important in cultures that
  promote independent, individualistic self

Example National Association for Self-Esteem
(NASE) http//www.self-esteem-nase.org/ The
purpose of NASE is "to fully integrate
self-esteem into the fabric of American society
so that every individual, no matter what their
age or background, experiences personal worth and
happiness" (NASE, 2000).
5
Self-esteem in Early Adolescence
Self-esteem can go in a variety of different
directions generally researchers have found
decreases in S-E in early adolescence.

• Across most groups, high S-E is related to
• Parental approval
• Peer support
• Adjustment
• Success in school

6
Self-esteem in Emerging Adulthood
For most people, self-esteem rises during
emerging adulthood.
7
Emotions in the adolescent self

• Experience Sampling Method (ESM)
• Method Adolescents are beeped randomly during
  the day and asked to record their emotional state
• Findings
• Adolescents record feeling self-conscious and
  embarrassed 2-3 times more than adults
• Adolescents are moodier (and have more negative
  moods) than preadolescents

8
Culture and Identity

• Erikson (1968)
• Identity crisis why crisis? (what
  assumptions does he make?)
• Now seen more positively as self-exploration
• Timetable identity work comes late A or early
  adulthood
• Identity confusion may be the result of
  difficulty handling all the choices available and
  an inability to decide among them

9
Culture and Identity
Identification with Ethnic Group Identification with Ethnic Group Identification with Ethnic Group Identification with Ethnic Group
Identification with Majority Culture High Low
Identification with Majority Culture High Bicultural Assimilated
Identification with Majority Culture Low Separated Marginal
Status Examples
Bicultural Being both Mexican and American is the best of both worlds.You have different strengths you can draw on in different situations.
Assimilated I dont really think of myself as Asian American, just as American.
Separated I am not part of two cultures. I am just Black.
Marginal When Im with my Indian friends, I feel White, and when Im with my White friends, I feel Indian. I dont really feel I belong with either of them.