What affects our Self: Self-esteem is how we assess ourselves as people, and how open-minded are we to receive feedback from a friend, family member, co-worker, etc. How we react to it all matters on high self-esteem or low self-esteem.
According to research by Amanda Forrest of the University of California and Joanne Wood at Waterloo University, published in Psychological Science, they found those with low self-esteem feel safer sharing on Facebook. However, the study also found that those with low self-esteem frequently post updates that work against them. They tend to criticize their friends with negative details of their lives, making them less likeable as "friends." Forrest and Wood also found that those people with high self-esteem, who usually posted more positive updates, received more positive responses (Williams, R. 2012, March 2).
Self-Knowledge Socialization is being a participant of different activities and interactions with people, being part of a culture that we are born into or a religion, etc. Reflected Appraisals are reactions about our actions with people and how we evaluate them and or perceive us.
Self-perception theory says that, 'When people are unsure about their feelings and motivations, they will use their own behavior to infer what they feel (Sears, D. O., Peplau, L. A., & Taylor, S., 2012). Social identity, relates to how we identify ourselves in relation to others according to what we have in common (Sears, D. O., Peplau, L. A., & Taylor, S., 2012). While social identity can provide people with a sense of self-esteem and a framework for socializing, and it can influence their behavior.
Ethnic Identity in minorities is being part of two cultures and being able to adapt to the changes or changing schools or first time to college. This next concept about Independent Versus Interdependent relates to the key differences between an Independent and an Interdependent Perception of Self.
Culture, has an influence in independent versus interdependent because some cultures strive to work together and build relationships and value social status and roles. They promote people’s goals versus an independent that likes to be unique and promote his or hers own goals by expressing themselves in a separated way(Sears, D. O., Peplau, L. A., & Taylor, S., 2012).
Our concepts vary depending on our culture; for instance the American culture versus other cultures and how independent and interdependent they are.
"Self-concept is our perception or image of our abilities and our uniqueness. At first one's self-concept is very general and changeable. As we grow older, these self-perceptions become much more organized, detailed, and specific."
(Pastorino & Doyle-Portillo, 2013)
"A self-concept is a collection of beliefs about one's own nature, unique qualities, and typical behavior. Your self-concept is your mental picture of yourself. It is a collection of self-perceptions. For example, a self-concept might include such beliefs as 'I am easygoing' or 'I am pretty' or “I am hardworking"
(Weiten, Dunn, & Hammer, 2012). Different cultures perceives the self as ways that don’t regard themselves similar to other people and also what they strive for and the importance of such achievement where the other culture can see their priorities totally different.
Its what we think about your self’s whether you’re dependent or interdependent. It’s an ideology we have about our own self’s in reaching out for help or being dependent. We can compare ourselves to others especially for positive or negative qualities that are applicable to present or past experiences and how we make sense. Self-Schemas are interpretation that helps us organize what we interpret of ourselves. They are pre-existing beliefs and ideas of ourselves. I am independent and showed my parents I could manage my budget and I refused to ask them for money because I was concerned. Self-Discrepancies are how we perceive ourselves and how we would like to be by strong emotional ties and Ideal Self are personal attributes we would like to have as an ideal person and ought self is what we believe their personal qualities should be.
Cultural differences also affect whether the ideal or the ought self governs self-regulatory behavior. People with an independent sense of self are more likely to be motivated by discrepancies between themselves and their ideal selves, whereas people raised with an interdependent self are more attentive to the concerns or demands of others.
Ideal Self is to formulate goals to be pursued and is essential in keeping up with information and our desires to improve our future and by self regulating the way we have control in directing our own responses to situations we an assume to control.
In order to have detailed opportunities it’s important to note to have self-efficacy in order to know your own skills in order to complete something successfully. I would also add that we have to be aware of our own behavior versus focusing on other people and situations that can lead us to being self-aware. If all fails with have to improve but in order to accomplish certain task you have to play away from the norm and get into something new to get us moving in different accomplishments we so desire. I went back to school because I wanted to enhance my skills and acquire new skills. I am very excited and it helps me to move forward and feel good about myself.
I am always aware of using positive thinking or as the book says “illusions.” As we think bout something and hold our perception invalid of things that can produce a question to your own interest or capabilities
Our perceptions is what we convey as part of our way in presenting ourselves.
References
Pastorino, E. E. & Doyle-Portillo, S. M. (2013). What Is Psychology?: Essentials. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Sears, D. O., Peplau, L. A., & Taylor, S. (2012). The Self: Learning About Self. Social psychology (Twelfth ed., ). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
Weiten, W., Dunn, D. S., & Hammer, E. Y. (2012) Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustments in the 21st Century. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Williams, R. (2012, March 2). Retrieved May 19, 2014, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/wired-success/201203/is-facebook-good-or-bad-your-self-esteem