The Self as

Cognitive Construct

Prepared by:
Ms. Justine Jane B. Ceriales, RPm
Cognitive Psychology – concerned with mental
processes (as perception, thinking, learning and
memory) especially with respect to the internal
events occurring between sensing and the
expression of behavior
Cognition – the mental processes involved in
gaining knowledge and comprehension. It
includes thinking, knowing, remembering, judging
and problem-solving.
These are higher-level functions of the brain and
encompass language, imagination, perception and
planning.
• In Psychology the self is
defined is defined as: “the
sense of personal identity
and of who we are as
individuals”
• William James (1890)
conceptualized the self as
• “I” - the thinking, acting and
feeling self
• “Me” – the physical
characteristics; capabilities
• Carl Rogers’ (1959) theory of
personality:
• “I” – the one who acts and
decides
• “Me” – what you think or feel
about yourself
Identity and Self – Concept
Composed of personal characteristics,
social roles, responsibilities
- It is what comes to your mind when
asked about who you are
- It is not fixed in one time frame
 Self – Schema
• Our organized system or collection of knowledge about
who we are
• The self-schema includes your hobbies, family, religion,
nationality, interests, work, course, age, name, etc.
• As you grow and adapt to the changes around you, they also
change.
• They actively shape and affect how you see, think and feel
about things.
• Psychological Theories see the self
and identity as mental constructs,
created and recreated in memory.
Current researches point to the
frontal lobe of the brain as the area
associated with processes
concerning the self
 Sigmund Freud
• He sees the self and the mind as a result of interaction
between three parts:
• Id – the instinctual part of the mind that contains sexual and
aggressive drives and hidden memories. It is selfish and wishful in
nature. Illogical and fantasy oriented.
• Ego – the realistic part that mediates between the desires of the id
and the super-ego. Modified by the direct influence of the external
world. The decision making component of personality
• Superego – operates as a moral conscience. Applies the values of
society which are learned from one’s parents and others
 Symbolic Interactionism
• GH Mead
• Argues that the self is created and developed through
human interaction. We are social products because:
1. We do not create ourselves out of nothing.
2. We need others to affirm and reinforce who we think we
are.
3. What’s important to us is influenced by our
social/historical context.
 Self - Awareness
1. The private self – your internal
private thoughts and feelings
2. The public self/image – geared to
having a good presentation of
yourself to others.
Self – awareness presents us
three other Self – Schema:
1. Actual Self – who you are at the moment
2. Ideal Self – who you like to be
3. Ought to be – who you think you should be
(responsibilities)

Self-awareness may be positive or negative

• At other times, we may experience
loss of individual self-awareness
and accountability in groups. A lot
of people attune themselves with
the emotions of their group. Being
in a large crowd may lessen our
self-control
Social Comparison
• In this theory we learn about
ourselves, the appropriateness of
our behaviors, as well as our
status, by comparing ourselves to
other people.
• Downward Social Comparison – is a
common type of comparing ourselves to
others. We create a positive self-concept by
comparing ourselves with those who are
worse than us.
• Upwards Social Comparison – is comparing
ourselves with those who are better than us.
It can be motivation for some, but it could
also lower your self-esteem because it shows
your weakness.
• These also occur not only in individuals but
also in groups
 Self – Evaluation
Maintenance Theory
• States that we feel threatened when someone out-performs us,
or does better than us. Especially when that person is a close
peer/partner/friend.
• We usually act in 3 ways in these situations:
1. We distance ourselves from the person
2. We reconsider the aspects or skill you were outperformed in
3. We try to improve that aspect of ourselves
• But then, sometimes to increase or maintain self-
esteem, some may become NARCISSISTIC.
Meaning: overly high self-esteem, self-
admiration, self-centeredness

• There is a difference between self-esteem and

narcissism. People with high self-esteem are
usually outgoing, adventurous, adaptable in a lot
of situations. But they could also be bullies and
experiment on abusive behavior, drugs, alcohol
and etc.