Self-Perception and Identity Formation

Exploration of the multifaceted nature of self-understanding, encompassing psychological, social, and cognitive dimensions.

The Psychological Self

Self-Concept: Examination of the beliefs, ideas, and attitudes one holds about oneself. This includes self-schemas and their influence on information processing.
Self-Esteem: Analysis of the subjective evaluation of one's own worth, encompassing feelings of competence and value.
Self-Efficacy: Investigation of the belief in one's ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.
Identity Development: Discussion of the process through which individuals define their personal values, beliefs, and goals, typically during adolescence and early adulthood, informed by Erikson's stages of psychosocial development.

Social Identity Theory: Outline of how individuals derive part of their sense of self from membership in social groups, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination.
Social Comparison Theory: Explanation of the tendency to evaluate oneself by comparing to others, either upward (striving for improvement) or downward (boosting self-esteem).
Looking-Glass Self: The concept of perceiving oneself through the eyes of others, incorporating their feedback and judgments into one's self-image.
Role Identity: Examination of the roles individuals adopt in various social contexts (e.g., student, employee, parent) and how these roles shape their behavior and self-perception.

Attribution Theory: Analysis of how individuals explain the causes of their own behavior and the behavior of others, impacting self-perception and judgments.
Self-Serving Bias: The tendency to attribute successes to internal factors (e.g., ability, effort) and failures to external factors (e.g., bad luck, difficulty).
Cognitive Dissonance Theory: Explanation of the discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes, leading to efforts to reduce this dissonance through changing behavior or beliefs.
Self-Awareness Theory: Examination of the states in which individuals focus attention on themselves, leading to greater consistency between their attitudes and behavior.

Culture: The impact of cultural values and norms on shaping self-construal (independent vs. interdependent self) and identity.
Experiences: The role of personal experiences, both positive and negative, in shaping self-esteem, self-efficacy, and overall self-concept.
Relationships: The influence of close relationships (e.g., family, friends, romantic partners) on self-perception and social support.
Life Events: Discussion of how significant life transitions (e.g., marriage, career changes, illness) can impact self-identity and self-understanding.