1. Human Development Chapter 11: The Self, Identity, and Personality

2. Self-Understanding Self — All characteristics of a person Identity — who a person is, integration of self-understanding Personality — enduring personal characteristics

3. Self in Developmental Perspective Infancy: visual self-recognition; age 1-2 Self-descriptions in early childhood: Concrete Physical Activity-based

4. Self-descriptions in Middle to Late Childhood Psychological traits- personal preferences References to peer groups

5. Self-descriptions in Middle to Late Childhood **Social comparison: more realistic self- evaluations Real vs. Ideal Selves

6. Self in Adolescence Abstract self-appraisals Self-consciousness Adolescent egocentrism

7. Self in Adolescence Contradictions in notions of self Fluctuating self: situational Real, ideal and possible selves

8. Racial/Ethnic Identity How salient to each individual? Groups affected by discrimination/racism “bi-cultural” identities

9. Perspective Taking Ability to assume another’s perspective and understand his/her standpoint In contrast to egocentrism Increases with age

10. Self-Understanding in Adulthood Self-Awareness Awareness of strengths and weaknesses Improves in young and middle adulthood

11. Self Understanding in Adulthood Possible Selves We have fewer and more concrete “selves” with age We revise our possible selves through adulthood

12. Adulthood: Life Review In middle age, common in older adults Evaluations of successes and failures Reconstructing/reinterpreting our lives

13. Self-Esteem Self-esteem: global evaluation of the self “Self-esteem Movement”

14. Self-esteem research Modest relationship with school grades Strongly related to happiness High self-esteem: linked to both prosocial and antisocial actions

15. Self-Esteem: Narcissism Narcissism Self-centered, self-concerned Conceited Rarely show empathy Inability to perspective-take Rage and shame when others don’t admire them

16. Self-esteem Outcomes are mixed Some outcomes are negative Should we foster something other than self-esteem?

17. Self-Esteem in Childhood and Adolescence Accuracy of self-evaluations increases across the elementary school years Majority of adolescents have positive self-image cross-culturally Girls’ self-esteem is significantly lower than boys’ by middle school years

18. Self-Regulation Ability to control one’s behavior Cognitive monitoring of thoughts Linked to higher achievement and satisfaction over the lifespan

19. Identity Erikson: Identity vs. Role Confusion Beginning in adolescence, extends throughout adulthood

20. Components of Identity Achievement/intellectual identity Vocational/career identity Cultural/ethnic identity Relationship identity Religious identity Physical identity Sexual identity Political identity

21. Identity How do we define our identities? Identity through performance/activity Meaningful engagements

22. Personality Traits Questionnaires: self-report Costa & McCrae: “Big Five”

23. Big Five Openness to experience Contentiousness Extraversion Agreeableness Neuroticism

24. Big Five Factors of Personality Fig. 11.10

25. Big Five Stability? Fairly stable after age 30 Critique: Too rigid “psychology of the stranger”

26. Life Story/Life History Approach We live “storied lives” (McAdams, 1988) To know a person is to know a life in context

27. The Life-Events Approach Life events/situational events Examples: divorce, job loss, promotions, etc. Role of mediating factors Physical health Family supports Coping strategies Socio-historical context

28. Stability and Change in Personality Personality traits are never fixed However, in adulthood, changes are small Individual differences