CHAPTER 4

The Self in the Allied

Sciences
In sociology
• Self concept in the field of sociology is defined in various ways as
the presence of the larger society and the significant others play a
major role in the understanding of the genuine nature of the self
which is found in the realm of the collective whole
Cooley and Mead
• Both described the connection between social realities and the role
of the individual
• Each has a role in the events transpiring in the community
• The society is therefore defined by the individuals comprising it
Rosenberg (1979)
• Pointed on to self concept as comprised of the insights about the
self as an object.
• A person is revealed as a functioning entity of the community
• The identity of the person is reliant to his or her function in the
community
Gekas and Burke(1995)
• The self is comprised of various identities, attitudes belief and
motive and experiences with respect to their communities and the
institution they belong.
• Identities comprise the understanding of the self in sociology such
as it should suffice queries as to the roles and function of the self in
relation to the significant others.
• In sociological perspective the self is considered as the product of
social interaction through the utilization of language.
In Anthropology
• Self-concept can be a product of cultural practices which is in the
realm of anthropology

• Erikson(1972)emphasizes identity as unique and distinctly

different from others
In Psychology
• Pertains to how a person creates a schema of his person
• Similar to having a conception of the self
• Erik Erickson alleged that the identity is a goal leaving to self
realization.
Michael Lewis (1990) Two Aspects Of
Self Concept
• 1. The most basic part is the self scheme or self concept which is
highly distinct from other which is know as the Existential Self
• 2. The Categorical Self is that which one considers himself as an
object with properties which may include one's age gender, size of
skill. Each individual is aware of his psychological traits.
Carl Rogers(1999) Three Components
of self concept
• 1.Your self image or view of yourself is influenced by external
factors such as expectations from significant others
• 2.Your self esteem or self worth is the value you assign to your self
• 3.Your ideal self is what you desire or expect from yourself.
Congruence exists when the ideal self and
the actual experience is consistent.
•