COURSE MATERIAL 5

Prepared by:
This course material has been designed for students to:
Rhodora C. Amora
• Apply critical, reflective, and analytical thinking

• Develop profound insights in the understanding of human

behavior

• Enhance the skills in using on-line resources as credible

resources that supplement learning

• Develop self-appreciation through heightened self-

awareness and increase of self-knowledge

1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
3

PRETEST

4 LEARNING OUTCOMES

REQUIRED MATERIALS &

RESOURCES

PRE-ACTIVITY

CONTENT and DISCUSSION

5

11 ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

12 POSTTEST

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

14 REFERENCES

15 CHECK MY LEARNING 2
 PSYCHOLOGICAL
MODULE 5
PERSPECTIVE OF SELF

In Module 4, we learned that we do not have self at birth. As posited by sociological

theorist in the previous lesson, the self is a product of human interactions and socio-cultural
experiences. Now, let’s say, unexpectedly you will be asked to look at yourself in front of the
mirror, what would be the first question that you might ask yourself? Am I beautiful?
adorable? Who am I? What does it mean to be me? Am I a male or female? Your answer to
these questions will be illuminated further by some of the well-known psychologists. Let’s
start with the activity below.

Pretest: The first thing that we are going to do today is to compare how you view yourself at
present (first bubble) and in the future (second bubble). You may use a word or phrase in
writing your answers.

3
 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, the students are expected to:

1. Determine how self-actualization can be achieved;

2. Create a diagram to illustrate the different aspects of self and its components;
3. Reflect on one’s self-worth through the use of standardized scale and
4. Reflect on significant childhood experiences that influence present behavior.

Required Materials and Resources

❖ Laptop
❖ Online Resources

Pre-Activities

What is your impression of the picture below? On the blanks provided, write your
answer using one or two sentences only.

Source: uhsguidancelessons.weebly.com

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

4
 Content and Discussion

Let’s journey together to have an in-depth understanding of the different psychological

theories of self.

1.Freud’s Psychodynamic Perspective

Psychodynamic or psychoanalytic theory emphasizes the major roles of the

unconscious (e.g. wishes and fears which we are not fully aware) and early childhood
experiences in shaping adult personality. The following are its core assumptions:

a. Primacy of the unconscious which means that the activity of the psyche or the mind
are presumed to be unconscious.
b. Critical importance of early experiences
c. Psychic causality or the assumption that nothing in mental life happens by chance –
that there is no such thing as a “random thought or feeling”

Freud’s Topographical Model

This model of the mind contends that the mind can be divided into three
regions, namely:
➢ Conscious part of the mind holds information that you are focusing at
this moment –what you are thinking and feeling right now.
➢ Preconscious (subconscious) contains information that is capable of
becoming conscious but is not conscious at the moment because your
attention is not being directed towards it.
➢ Unconscious part, the most controversial part, contains anxiety
producing material (e.g. sexual impulses, aggressive urges) that are
deliberately repressed (held outside of conscious awareness as a form of
self-protection because they make you uncomfortable)( Kearns & Lee,
2015).

5
 Source: https://www.simplypsychology.org/Sigmund-Freud.html

Structural Model
This model of the mind posits the interaction of three mental structures- the id
(seat of drives and instinct), ego (logical, reality-oriented part of the mind), and
superego ( the conscience, or the moral guidelines, rules and prohibitions that guide
your behavior). The superego was acquired through your family or through your
culture in which you were raised.

Source:https://www.verywellmind.com/the-id-ego-and-superego-2795951

6
 The interplay of these three psychic structures differs across individuals in
relative power and influence. When the id predominates and instincts rule, the result is
an impulsive personality type. When the superego is the strongest, moral prohibitions
reign supreme, a restrained, overcontrolled personality ensues. Finally, when the ego is
dominant, a more balanced set of personality traits develop (eagle, 2011;McWilliams,
2009 as cited in Kearns & Lee, 2015).)

2.Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory

The theory describes eight stages through which a healthily developing human should
pass from infancy to late adulthood. At each stage of development, people are faced with
conflicting forces. People who are able to successfully deal with these conflicts emerge with a virtue
that is associated with that point of development. According to Erikson, a conflict is a turning point
where each person faces a struggle to attain a specific psychological quality. Conflict or
psychosocial crisis can be a time of vulnerability but also strength as people work toward success or
failure (https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development-
2795740).

Theorist Erikson coined the term identity crisis and believed that it was one of the most
important conflicts people face in development. According to Erikson, an identity crisis is a time of
intensive analysis and exploration of different ways of looking at oneself. For him, development of
identity is crucial during adolescence, however it is not confined to this stage, It is something that
shifts and grows throughout life as person develops and encounters new experiences
(https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-an-identity-crisis-2795948)

7
Identity Vs. Confusion
The fifth stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development takes place during adolescence, a
shift from childhood to adulthood. At this point, young people experience a lot of changes in
their body. They begin to contemplate on the role they want to play in the adult world. They
examine existential questions such as “Who am I?” and “What can I be?”. They also try to
develop their occupational and sexual identities by exploring different possibilities.
Young people who succeed at this stage develop a strong sense of identity. When they
come across challenges and problems, they can commit to their principles, ideals and beliefs.
Those who fail to establish their own identity at this stage tend to be confused about
themselves and about their future. They may end up following other people’s ideas.

Erik Erikson theory suggests that young people who succeed at resolving the crisis at
this stage develops the virtue of “fidelity”. This is characterized by the self-esteem and self-

8
confidence that are requisite to associating freely with people and beliefs on the basis of their
value, loyalty, and integrity(https://www.psychologynoteshq.com/erikson-stages/,Retrieved
August 11, 2020)

3.Carl Rogers’ Self-concept

Who do you think or believe you are? The answer to this question leads to your
self-concept or what Carl Rogers defined as "the organized, consistent set of
perceptions and beliefs about oneself (McLeod, 2014).” You may believe that you are
very confident in every endeavor that you may engage in or otherwise. Hence, it could
either be a positive or negative belief about oneself which may hold true or not to our
real self.
According to the humanist psychologist, Carl Rogers, there are three different
part of self-concept(https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-concept-2795865):
3.1Self-image, or how you see yourself;
3.2 Self-esteem, or how much you value yourself; and
3.3 Ideal self, or how you wish you could be.

A person will develop healthy sense of self if his/her self-image is closer to his/her
ideal self. How about you? Is your ideal self similar or closer to your self-image? May be you
picture yourself as a successful entrepreneur in the future, then it is just significant that you reflect
on your skills, interest, abilities and even the degree program you chose.

Self-actualization

➢ Similar to the plant which was placed in a safe and conducive area in the garden
, human being will flourish and reach his/her fullest potential or self-
actualization. However, this will only be achieved if the person will achieve a
state of congruence, that is, when the person’s ideal self is congruent with their
actual self-image.

9
 Source: Source:simplypsychology.org

William James Theory of the Self

William James (1842–1910) , a philosopher and psychologist , described two aspects of

the self that he termed the “I Self” and “Me Self.” Below are the descriptions of these two
aspects (https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/psychology/psychology-and-
psychiatry/self-representation)

➢ I Self reflects what people see or perceive themselves doing in the physical world (e.g.
recognizing that one is walking, eating, writing).
➢ Me Self is a more subjective and psychological phenomenon, referring to
individuals’ reflections about themselves (e.g. characterizing oneself as athletic, smart,
cooperative). Other terms such as self-view, self-image, self-schema, and self-concept are
also used to describe the Me Self.
➢ James further distinguished three components of the Me Self, namely (1) the material
self (e.g., tangible objects or possessions we collect for ourselves); (2) the social self (e.g.,
how we interact and portray ourselves within different groups, situations, or persons);
and (3) the spiritual self (e.g., internal dispositions).

10
 Assessment Activities

Self-Assessment Activity (SAA)1

Take the free online Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale. Just open this link.
https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/RSE.php

Self-Assessment Activity (SAA)2

Based on James’ s Theory of the Self, draw a diagram to illustrate the aspects of self
and its components.

11
Self-Assessment Activity (SAA)3

How do you view yourself? Does it match your real or actual self? Draw an illustration
based on the concept of congruence or incongruence.

Online Resources
Watch and enjoy this documentary, then, formulate a personal quotation(My
Personal Quote). Your output will be the focus of our next discussion. Just open the
link below.
> Build Self Confidence and Self Esteem – DOCUMENTARY FILM 2020
https://youtu.be/CEqoCcacR3Y

12
POSTTEST
Multiple Choice (15 items) .Choose the letter of your answer. The link will be provided
for you to answer the online quiz. Thanks!

LESSON SUMMARY

• In Freud’s structural theory, when the ego is dominant, a more balanced set of
personality traits develop.
• Rogers believed that self-actualization can be achieved when ideal self is congruent
with the actual self.
• Erikson emphasized that when young people succeeded in overcoming the
psychosocial conflict during adolescence, they develop a strong sense of identity.
• James Theory of the Self described the Me Self as a more subjective and psychological
phenomenon while the I Self as the objective self.

KEY TERMS

Identity crisis Instincts Psychic causality

Repression Unconscious Self-concept

Self-actualization Unconscious

13
 REFERENCES

Online Book
Kearns, Toni & Lee, Deborah .(2015). General psychology:An introduction. Psychology,
Sociology,Anthropology, and Social Works Open Textbooks 1.http://oer.galileo.usg.edu.psychology-
textbooks/1.

Journal
Rogers CA. (1959) Theory of Therapy, Personality and Interpersonal Relationships as Developed in the Client-
centered Framework. In: S Koch, ed. Psychology: A Study of a Science. Vol. 3: Formulations of the Person and the
Social Context. New York: McGraw-Hill Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/29021825/A_THEORY_OF_THERAPY_PERSONALITY_AND_INTERPERSONAL_REL
ATIONSHIPS_AS_DEVELOPED_IN_THE_CLIENT_CENTERED_FRAMEWORK

World Wide Web

https://www.simplypsychology.org/carl-
rogers.html#:~:text=Central%20to%20Rogers'%20personality%20theory,really%20are%20
as%20a%20person.
https://www.frontiersin.org/files/Articles/350047/fpsyg-09-01656-HTML/image_m/fpsyg-
09-01656-g001.jpg
https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/psychology/psychology-and-psychiatry/self-
representation

14
 CHECK MY LEARNING

Pretest. Answers will vary.

Preactivity. Answers will vary.
Self-Assessment Activity(SAA) 1. Interpretation of the assessment result is provided by the
link.
Self-Assessment Activity (SAA)2. Please refer to diagram below. This is only a basic diagram.
You may come up with your own.

Me Self

Material

ASPECTS OF SELF

I Self

Social

Spiritual

15