User:Jenny O/The Social Self

The social self

The human self is social. It is not a fixed entity and is context dependent. The self was once seen as a static one dimensional, single faceted entity but is now considered as a dynamic, multidimensional, multifaceted construct.

However, I had a lot of trouble trying to figure out how all the concepts relating to 'the self' fit together. I found the chapter in the textbook most confusing (Baumeister & Bushman, 2008, pp. 69-113). However, after reviewing the content with a fellow student, thinking more about the concepts, and doing some further reading, I think I have managed to get my head around it.

Fiske’s (2004) chapter ‘The self: Social to the core’ (e-reserve) was particularly helpful in putting these concepts into perspective, especially in linking them to the introductory framework presented in the textbook and lectures. She presented her discussion in terms of conceptual and operational definitions of the self:

The conceptual definition of the self

These are the psychological conceptions of the self and potential domains of study. On a conceptual level the self has four dimensions:

Inner self: Thoughts, feelings, attitudes & abilities.
Physical self (material self): Body & possessions. Loss or threat results in emotional reaction
Interpersonal self (social self): Interaction with others. Includes roles (expected behaviour in socially defined positions).
Societal self: Social identity at a cultural level. (Not face-to-face interaction). One’s concept of gender, age, ethnicity, religion etc.

The operational definition of the self

This is how psychologists define the self so it can be measured (research). Fiske (2004) suggests the self can be considered in the affective, behavioural and cognitive domains (ABC Triad). Each domain is driven by a motive and is represented by a major concept, components of which are measured. For example:

Affective self

Motive: To self-enhance

e.g. Self-esteem (Self-liking)

Possible measures: Scales of self-esteem e.g. performance, social regard, appearance

Behavioural self

Motive: To belong (gain acceptance)

e.g. Self-presentation (Conveying impressions, identities, images to others)

Possible measures: Public Vs anonymous behaviour, response to public embarrassment

Cognitive self

Motive: To understand (How people come to know themselves)

e.g. Self-concept (Achieved through self-perception, introspection, social comparison, social feedback)

Possible measures: “Who am I?” test, measures of self-schema

Defining the self from conceptual and operational viewpoints was most helpful to me. This enabled me to put this information into some sense of order, and then better understand the concepts and how they fit together.