SELF-KNOWLEDGE AND

SELF-DEVELOPMENT
BMEGT52A002 and 004
Halmos Alexandra Anna
WHO AM I?
Why do I act the way I do?
 SELF-KNOWLEDGE

“actual genuine information one possesses about oneself”

a result of self reflective and social processes

(Morin & Racy, 2021)

 SELF-KNOWLEDGE

emotional state values

personality traits needs
relationships goals
behavioral patterns preferences
opinions and social identity
beliefs
 SELF-KNOWLEDGE
Self-knowledge is not derived solely from introspection. According to
Brown (1998), there are five sources that contribute to the reservoir
of self-knowledge.

In psychology and in social sciences in general, we rarely speak of

absolutes - we do not say that there are 5 and only 5 sources of
self-knowledge. Rather, we have models and theories of that our
discipline keeps track by the name of the researcher or professional
who published it, implying and empowering that others have different
theories or diverging empirical results.
SOURCES OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE

PHYSICAL WORLD SOCIAL COMPARISONS REFLECTED APPRAISALS

skin color, height, hair etc. upward, lateral, downward others’ evaluations of us. The
term denotes the fact that we
see ourselves reflected through
the eyes of others

Brown (1988)
 SOURCES OF SELF-
KNOWLEDGE

INTROSPECTION SELF-PERCEPTION NEW TECHNIQUES

derived through inward we learn about ourselves techniques developed by

observation of thoughts, through observing and psychologists
feelings, motives, and desires examining our own behavior.
Brown (1988)
SOURCES OF SELF-
KNOWLEDGE: NEW
TECHNIQUES
CBT-STYLE
APPROACHES
a rational analysis of our
negative thought processes
through approaches similar to
and including Cognitive-
Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
MINDFULNESS TECHNIQUES
Mindfulness-based techniques
help us assess and enhance
our emotional intelligence
skills, building self-
knowledge (Schaffner, 2020)
Schaffner (2020)
WHAT ARE YOUR SOURCES OF
SELF-KNOWLEDGE?
SOCIAL
COMPARISONS
UPWARD COMPARISON
a comparison target that is
considered superior on the
dimension of interest. As these
comparisons provide evidence that
an individual is not as good as
someone else, traditionally they
were assumed to lead to negative
self-evaluations
LATERAL COMPARISON
with a target who is similar, just
slightly better, or just slightly
worse on the dimension of DOWNWARD COMPARISON
evaluation
used when an individual wants to
boost positive self-regard, for
example, when they are under
threat
 SOCIAL
COMPARISONS
‘similarity hypothesis’ was central to Festinger’s original theory. It states
that individuals prefer to make comparisons with similar others. Generally,
research indicates that comparisons with targets that are close on a variety of
dimensions, such as age, gender, or family ties, have a greater affective
impact than comparisons with targets that are not so close on these dimensions

WE USE COMPARISONS FOR OUR OWN REASON. BUT HOW DO COMPARISONS

HELP US GETTING TO KNOW OURSELVES BETTER?
WHY IS SELF-KNOWLEDGE
IMPORTANT?
People who do not see themselves accurately are likely
to bungle their lives” (Begley, 2020).
Key aspects at risk due to lack of self-knowledge
include life partner choices, education and career
choices, and where and how to live (Morin & Racy,
2021).
Deficits in self-knowledge lead to over-estimation of
subjective strengths, which can cause lower life
satisfaction and poor academic performance (Morin &
Racy, 2021).
 WHY IS SELF-KNOWLEDGE
IMPORTANT?
Schaffner (2020) lists five reasons self-knowledge is 6. Other benefits include having less work
essential for psychological growth. frustration, less insecurity and envy, and
less stress about money. In addition, we
1. It satisfies the desire to learn and make sense of
gain the ability to take responsibility for
experiences.
our emotions and have more empathy and
2. It prevents discord between self-perceptions and others’
compassion (Huseyin, 2017).
perceptions of us.
3. It emancipates us from the irrational whims of our
7. Finally, self-knowledge helps shape
unconscious.
our understanding of others and is used as
4. It facilitates proactive responses rather than reactivity.
a reference point for evaluating others
5. It is a necessary first step for positive change.
(Brown, 1998).
HOW CAN SELF-KNOWLEDGE
LEAD TO MASTERY?
 PSYCHOLOGICAL DOMAINS
RIPE FOR CHANGE

01 02 03
BLIND SPOTS 2. SELF-DECEPTION CONFLICT TRIGGERS
T

Blind spots are unconscious Baumeister (2010) describes self- Conflict triggers are words or actions
processes that “typically deception as a kind of wishful performed by another that are perceived
bias the access to and thinking. In this state, we believe as offensive and create conflict (Wilmot
formation of self- what we want to believe, bereft of & Hocker, 2011). Taibbi (2019)
knowledge” (Bukowski, rigorous justifications. Various biases suggests these triggers stem from
2019). TED Talk serve as a vehicle for self-deception. unhealed wounds from our past.
 WHY FEW PEOPLE SEEK
SELF-KNOWLEDGE
Exploring unknown aspects of ourselves is risky, as it
may reveal information that contradicts our current
self-beliefs.
Our culture is more interested in success and
advancement than introspection (Huseyin, 2017).
A variety of closely related terms distract information
seekers, forming barriers to self-knowledge
(Bukowski, 2019). Terms such as self-awareness,
self-concept, and self-identity dilute the field of
self-knowledge.
SELF-KNOWLEDGE VS.
SELF-AWARENESS
Connected but different concepts
Self-knowledge refers to information about subjective
tendencies, such as our emotional state, personality traits,
and behavioral patterns (Morin & Racy, 2021).
Self-awareness according to Goleman (1997, p. 47) is
being“aware of both our mood and our thoughts about that
mood.”
THEORIES SUPPORTING SELF-
KNOWLEDGE
If we have models on how the human psyche works, that
gives us frameworks for undestanding ourselves.
PERSONALITY
DEVELOPMENT

Read more on
Freud’s theory
here
 PSYCHO-SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTAL
THEORY
Erikson, a psychoanalyst and professor at Harvard,
produced what was to become psychology’s most popular
and influential theory of human development. His model
– including eight stages of psychosocial growth –
replaced Freud’s controversial theory centered on
psychosexual development.

Erikson’s psychosocial development theory proposes that our personality develops

through eight stages, from infancy to old age. He argued that social experience was
valuable throughout life, with each stage recognizable by the specific conflict we
encounter between our psychological needs and the surrounding social environment.
Source
PSYCHO-SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTAL
THEORY
To become fully functional, confident members of society, we must
successfully complete each stage and resolve two conflicting
states; for example, those of trust versus mistrust and autonomy
versus shame. When successful, we acquire basic human virtues
and a healthy personality; we become well adjusted and better
prepared for challenges later in life.

Failure, on the other hand, leads to difficulty navigating our

future and a profound impact on our sense of self, our personality.
We are left feeling inadequate.
Source
 WHAT WE THINK NOW OF THE
PSYCHO-SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTAL
THEORY
The theory is helpful guidance but with limitations:
Stages may not be sequential or play out in the
order described.
The age range for each stage may not be correct
or change along societal, economis changes
Searching for identity may occur many times
throughout our lives, not only during
adolescence.
How do we truly define success? After all, the idea of balance will vary between
individuals, cultures, and, over time, within ourselves.
Stage eight suggests a move from activity to passivity, but many people are
highly productive, active members of the community in their later years Source
 SOURCE OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE:
WORKING WITH A PSCHOLOGIST
Inviting a
psychologist
Self-knowledge
to the
groups
workplace
Attending
trustworthy
workshops
materials

Psychological
counseling
SOURCE OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE:
WORKING WITH A PSCHOLOGIST
Reading trustworthy materials
If you have questions on a psychological concept: American
Psychological Association: apa.org
GIf you want to know more of a mental healt issue: goverment sites
in England and Wales: mind.gov.uk and nhs.uk
SIf you are interested in self-development or science-based
information: positivepsychology.org
SOURCE OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE:
WORKING WITH A PSCHOLOGIST
Reading trustworthy materials
SOURCE OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE:
WORKING WITH A PSCHOLOGIST
Joining self-knowledge groups
Encounter groups - open or closed groups
Encounter events (Cross Cultural Communication
Day, Budapest Encounter Days) - cost-efficient
in Hungary
Psychodrama Groups
Dance- and Movement Therapy
Art Therapy
Somatotherapy
HELP IN STRESS AND CRISIS
Even when someone has no self-knowledge problems, certain stressful
events can cause big stirs. The person might have the coping mechanisms
to deal with the stressful situation - which can be prevented by many
ways, including practicing stress-reducing techniques. In case someone
cannot cope with a challenging situation, help from someone else is needed.
GREATEST STRESS TRIGGERS
Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale

Count one’s overall stress score. Below 150, it’s relatively

calm. It is considered extremely stressful above 300.
 CRISIS INTERVENTION FOR
OURSELVES
If we are in crisis, we can try helping ourselves too.

Drink a cold or warm beverage

Call someone on the phone while being aware of all the
who can calm you down sensations of the activity

We can also try to calm
ourselves. Listen to the
sounds around you; if it's
quiet, make your own voice
heard (e.g. humming,
tapping, snapping, clapping,
tapping your foot)
Turn on your favourite music and start
moving to the music; (if dancing is not
possible, imagine you are dancing)
Let's name out loud what we see, hear,
feel, think about or do. Write
everything down in precise detail
Source
 CRISIS INTERVENTION FOR
OURSELVES
If we are in crisis, we can try helping ourselves too.
If we have pets, dogs or cats, let's pet
Massage your temples, hands,
them.
belly, feet, etc. Massage
Touch different parts of your body (e.g.
slowly, mindfully and gently.
the top of your head, your forehead, and
Read aloud from your then move towards the foot in a
favourite children's book, methodical and slow movement)
novel, poetry book one body part at a time, consciously
Suck on mint or other tighten and then suddenly relax. One
strong-flavoured sweets after the other, hold the tension for a
Bite into a lemon or lime short time, then release the muscles
again. Source
 CRISIS INTERVENTION
FOR SOMEONE IN NEED
If someone is in crisis, psychologists empower us: anyone is competent
to help: (1) by simly being there, (2) as a distraction (3) if one can,
helping to cope with stress.
Try to make the place as
calm as you can and say: Feel If the situation does not get
free to tell me how you feel, better after talking:
what's bothering you - I'll suggesting a helpline / calling
listen!
104 (ambulance in Hungary)
I understand you to say: ... ?
What could be the solution? Stay there with the person or
Let’s think together! make sure someone does!
What can we agree you will
do now?
HELPLINE OR AMBULANCE
findahelpline.com

ambulance: 104
 SOLVING PROBLEMS WITH A
PSYCHOLOGIST
Psychological counseling
Counseling is like a lifebelt, it can support the
problem at hand, making it easier to bear
difficult feelings.
Shorter process (of 1-15 sessions), focusing
on one (two) topic(s). Toolkit: facilitates
self-directed solutions with a present
focus, supporting practical life
management.
Counseling is suitable if the problem does
not cause too much disruption in one’s
life. Typical problem: I often have exam
fright during oral exams.
Professional must have: psychology MA
and/or psychology MA specialized in
counseling (“tanacsado szakpszichologus”)
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is like learning to swim: to be able
to react well in the long term to recurring or
difficult situations
Takes longer (months, years), deeper process,
may cover several issues
Recurring, long-standing difficulties that also
interfere with the everydays
For example, on the day of the exam I am so
anxious that I can't leave the apartment, I
am in a lot of pain, I can't do it alone.
Another example is, I’d like to marry and
have children but I quit my relationships.
Toolkit: diagnostics, correcting experiences
through therapeutic relationship, processing
past events, linking them to current symptoms
Professional must have: a clinical psychologist
and/or psychotherapist
 TYPES OF PSYCHOTHERAPY:
PSYCHOANALYSIS VS. SCHEMA THERAPY
Focuses on interpretation by the therapist
to help the patient gain insight into
unconscious conflicts and unresolved issues.
Typically involves long-term, intensive
treatment, often requiring several sessions
per week.
Relies heavily on free association, dream
analysis, and transference as techniques
for uncovering unconscious material.
Focuses on interpretation by the therapist
to help the patient gain insight into
unconscious conflicts and unresolved issues.
Developed by Sigmund Freud and pthers,
this is considered the traditional method.
Schema therapy helps get core needs
met adaptively by changing maladaptive
schemas (“life traps”), coping styles,
responses, and modes. It uses a
combination of cognitive, behavioral, and
experiential techniques to address
maladaptive schemas. SOURCE
Developed in the 21st century, it could
rely on previous treatment methods.
Techniques may include cognitive
restructuring, imagery rescripting, and
behavioral experiments to challenge and
modify negative patterns.
INTERVIEW WITH A
PSYCHOLOGIST
Baross Dorottya

You can ask Dora here: dorottya.baross@gmail.com

 SEE YOU ALL
NEXT WEEK!
Thank you for joining me
today!
 Sources

Professional content relied on positivepsychology.com and

other sources indexed on the slide.
Thanks Dorottya Baross for her input on crisis.
Slides design is shared by Veronika Takacs