A person is able to regulate and control his own behavior and actions through the knowledge of himself, his moral, mental and physical forces. This is where the huge role of consciousness is revealed. After all, it has a great influence on the activity and life of each individual.
By consciousness we mean the highest form of development and manifestation of the human psyche. It determines his management and control, the mental orientation of actions, as well as his ability, which involves drawing up a personal report on what is happening in the individual himself, as well as in the world around him.
Consciousness consists of a number of critical components. Among them are the totality of knowledge about the world, the setting of life tasks and goals, a person’s attitude to everything around him and other people, as well as self-awareness. The one whose condition can be described as wakefulness is well aware of everything that happens to him. This is self-consciousness, which is historically a later and yet more fragile product of the development of the human psyche.
Definition of a concept
What is self-awareness? In English, this word sounds like "self-consciousness." It means a person’s awareness of himself as an individual. In addition, this term in psychology refers to the orientation of consciousness to your body, behavior and feelings. Self-awareness also means the stages of control and study that are ongoing throughout life and the person’s assessment of his activities. This process is endless. And it can be explained by the fact that a person constantly changes throughout his life.
Self-awareness leads to awareness of one's "I", and in all the variety of features of the individual. There is a separation of oneself from the entire surrounding world. In this case, the individual evaluates all his characteristics, comparing them with the qualities of other people.
Self-awareness is of great help to a person. It allows him to save both himself and his "I", while adjusting the complex system that the inner psychic world possesses.
Some scholars believe that the term “self-awareness” is very close in its meaning to such a concept as “personality”. Moreover, L. S. Vygotsky suggested that the development of such awareness takes place according to a pattern close to that which the higher physical functions undergo. A.N. Leont'ev, however, shared this term by distinguishing two components. This is knowledge of oneself (he considered a similar direction to be an idea of the boundaries of one's own body and its physical capabilities) and self-awareness (attributed this concept to individual experience, generalized using speech).
A bit of history
The ancient Greek philosopher Plotinus, who lived in the 3rd century. n e., the first saw in all bodily spiritual, divine beginning. It was thanks to him that psychology became the science of consciousness, which was understood as self-consciousness.
According to the teachings of Plotinus, the soul of an individual comes from a kind of world soul. She is directed to her. In addition, the philosopher believed that a person has another vector of activity, He is directed to the world of feelings. Each soul, as Plotinus believed, has one more direction. It is expressed in turning to oneself, to one’s own content and its invisible actions. This conversion monitors the work of the soul, being at the same time its peculiar mirror.
After many centuries, a person’s ability to not only think, remember, feel and feel, but also to possess certain internal ideas about such functions was called reflection. By this term they began to mean a certain mechanism that is certainly present in the subject's activity, while combining his orientation in the inner world, that is, in himself, with orientation in the outer world.
But whatever the explanations for such a phenomenon, they all boiled down to a search for a certain dependence of emotional impulses on physical causes, communication with people around and on the processes occurring in the body. However, the factors affecting the occurrence of reflection, which was once discovered by Plotinus, were never discovered. The theory of the ancient Greek philosopher for a long time remained self-sufficient, while becoming the initial concept in the psychology of consciousness.
This topic was of interest to scientists in subsequent periods of the existence of mankind. A similar trend is developing today. Moreover, it has recently been observed the greatest activity in its study. For example, interesting studies on self-identity were conducted in 1979 by Lewis and Brooks-Gan. Scientists attached a red dot to the nose of infants, and then brought them to the mirror. Children who recognized their reflection pulled hands to their own noses. In this case, scientists believed that these kids have already received their own self-development. In such experiments, children younger than a year, as a rule, were drawn to reflection in the mirror. 25% of children from 15 to 18 months, as well as 70% of 21-24-month-old babies, were touching their nose.
Researchers believe that the main role in the development of self-consciousness is assigned to a certain area of the brain, which is located in the frontal lobe. An experiment conducted by Lewis and Brooks-Hahn indicated that an understanding of the internal “I” in a person first begins to appear when he reaches the age of 18 months. This period coincides with the onset of rapid cell growth occurring in the front of the brain.
Stages of development
Self-identity of a person is formed simultaneously with the mental development of the child, when the formation of his individual and intellectual spheres occurs. A similar process covers the time from the very birth of a person to the teenage period and continues on.
The formation of self-identity at the first stage is associated with the formation of a body structure in a little man. It is a kind of subjective way, indicating to the child the relative position of the parts of the body and their movement in space. The formation of such a representation is based on the information that children receive when they acquire life experience. In the future, the body diagram gradually begins to extend beyond its physical forms. Over time, it includes, for example, objects that are in direct contact with the skin (clothing). All the sensations that arise in a child create various emotions in him related to the well-being of the body. It may be an impression of comfort or discomfort. Thus, the body scheme becomes the first component in the structure of personality self-awareness.
The second stage in the formation of the concept of one's own “I” starts simultaneously with the start of walking. Moreover, not so much the technique of new movements for him is important for the child, as the opportunity that he has to communicate with different people. The kid becomes independent of who leads him and who comes up to him. All this leads to the emergence of self-confidence, as well as to an understanding of where the boundaries of freedom end for him. Self-identity at this stage is expressed in a certain independence of the baby in relation to the people around him. Awareness of such a subjective fact gives the child the first idea of his "I", which does not exist outside the relationship "You".
The next step in the formation of self-identity is the development of the baby sex role identity. This is expressed in the fact that the child begins to relate to himself to a certain gender and realizes the content of the sexual role. The leading mechanism of this process is identification. Children liken themselves to another person in the form of their inherent actions and experiences.
The most important stage in the development of self-awareness and personality formation is the mastery of the baby's speech. Its occurrence significantly changes the nature of the relationship that develops between the little man and adults. A child who has mastered the speech is able to direct the actions of nearby people at will. In other words, his position as an object of influence of others changes to the state of the subject acting on them.
At the age of 3 to 7 years, the development of self-consciousness occurs evenly and smoothly. At the beginning of this period, children stop talking about themselves in the third person. This is explained by the desire to experience some kind of independence, as well as to oppose oneself to others. Such aspirations of the individual to independence lead to periodic conflicts with others.
The growth of self-awareness and the development of personality continues in the period from 7 to 12 years. This is the time when the child builds up reserves. The process of increasing self-awareness at the same time occurs without tangible leaps and crises. At this age, significant changes in the understanding of the world are noted only in connection with the emergence of new social conditions when a small person becomes a schoolboy.
The self begins to interest the child again from 12 to 14 years. During this period, a new crisis is developing. The child contrasts himself with adults and strives to be different from them. During this period, social self-awareness is particularly pronounced.
Of particular importance in the formation of the inner "I" of a person is the period of his life from 14 to 18 years. Here comes the rise of personality, which moves to a new level. At the same time, a person himself begins to influence the further development of all characteristics of personality self-awareness. A similar stage indicates the beginning of maturity.
Worldview and self-affirmation of personality
In the period from 11 to 20 years of the many needs of the individual, self-identity of the person begins to occupy a central position. At this age, a person becomes very important own status among his peers, as well as the assessment that gives his inner "I" social thought.
During this period, self-identity of the person basically consists of the worldview and self-affirmation of the subject. These same concepts become defining categories in the formation of the inner “I”.
Under the worldview in psychology is understood the system of those holistic judgments that a person possesses about himself, as well as about life positions, the world around him and people's actions. Its basis is knowledge and experience that have been accumulated by an individual before this period. All this gives the activity of the growing personality a conscious character.
As for self-affirmation, psychologists consider it as human behavior, due to increased self-esteem and the desire to maintain a certain level of social status. What method the individual uses in this case depends on his upbringing, skills and abilities. So, a person can assert himself with the help of his achievements or by appropriating non-existent successes.
There are other significant categories that contribute to the formation of self-identity. Among them are:
- awareness of the meaning of life and the irreversibility of time;
- comprehension of love as an expression of feelings of a socio-psychological nature;
- increased self-esteem.
Along with the categories described above, psychologists distinguish social status and social role. They also have an important effect on the formation of human self-awareness.
Under the social role is understood such a characteristic of an individual’s behavior, which is expressed in the execution by him of models of behavior accepted in society. It includes the role expectations of the individual and their fulfillment. This category is an important factor in the formation of the inner "I". After all, a high level of social identity of a person makes it easier for a person to adapt to life.
One of the main conditions affecting the formation of the inner “I” is the position that the individual occupies in society. This is his social status. Sometimes this position is given to a person already at birth, and sometimes his achievement is due to directed actions.
Types of self-awareness
In psychology, various types of the internal "I" of a person are distinguished. Among them:
- Social identity. It occurs when people begin to understand how others look at them. The features of self-identity of a personality of this type are that it arises in those situations when an individual falls into the spotlight. For example, he may speak to an audience or talk with a group of acquaintances. Very often, social self-awareness forces a person to observe social norms. After all, understanding that you are being evaluated and watched by you leads to the fact that everyone strives to be polite and cultured.
- Private identity. A similar type of understanding of one's “I” arises, for example, when a person sees himself in a mirror. That is, it appears when understanding some aspects of oneself.
- Moral identity of the individual. The formation period of this type of understanding of the internal "I" a person goes through at an early age. Young children take their parents and teachers as role models. Adolescents, on the other hand, tend to pay more attention to their personal experience and listen to what their inner voice prompts them. Moral self-awareness helps a person in his pursuit of excellence. At the same time, his willpower and various abilities develop and strengthen. The level of moral consciousness can tell us a lot about a person. After all, those or other values contribute to the determination of the further type of activity and personal development.
Self-awareness structure
Understanding a person’s own “I” includes 3 main elements. All of them have mutually affecting actions. The structure of personality self-awareness allows each person to track their own psycho-emotional state in order to evaluate their actions in relation to other people and to themselves. So, in psychology it is considered:
- “I am real.” This element is the representation that a person currently has about himself. The role in the self-identity of the person “I am the real” allows a person to evaluate the objective picture of his position. In this case, a person considers himself from several positions at once. And only on the basis of all the social roles belonging to him (son, father, friend, employee) does the formation of a single image take place. A person mentally asks himself what kind of parent and employee he is, and whether he is a talented or mediocre leader. The answers to these questions either satisfy the individual or upset him. With a clear discrepancy of such images to each other, a person has additional suffering and feelings. He begins to think seriously about his life.
- “I am perfect.” This is the second element of self-identity. In psychology, it is considered as evidence of internal aspirations for self-improvement and human motives. “I am ideal” includes all the dreams, desires and goals of the individual that relate to his life in the future. Using this element of self-awareness, a person begins to understand what he needs to strive for in order to get the desired result. What is the vision of the self in the future indicates many of its features. The level of claims of a person, his self-confidence, as well as the presence of ambition, directly depend on the characteristics of “I am the ideal”. More often than not, people underestimate the achievements that already take place. In this regard, the vision of oneself in the future as a personality, as a rule, is idealized. You can dream about anything. And everyone knows that doing this is much nicer than actively acting to change the existing inner reality. Self-identity of the person is the vector that directs each person to change.
- "I am the past." In the processes of personal identity, this structural element is the most dramatic. After all, it has a very strong impact on how a person will build his life. Self-management is possible. However, no one can fix everything that has already happened. A person with a negative past is afraid of acting actively at the moment. Everything that is undertaken by her will be done with great care. Thus, the past is an invaluable experience that helps each person to understand his own actions, as well as to orient himself in the future life.
All the elements described above in the concept of self-identity of a person form a single structure, which is an integrated system. Man, having learned to value his present, is certainly much easier to realize his capabilities in the future.
Self-awareness functions
Thanks to the vision of his own “I”, a person is able to self-regulate his behavior in society. This is the most important function of self-consciousness.It is the totality of self-image that leads to the fact that the individual develops the correct behavior based on existing conditions. At the same time, the functions of self-awareness allow a person to maintain personal space, while feeling responsible for the social values he has adopted.
The development of self-awareness and the formation of personality allow an individual to:
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For the development of individuality, tremendous internal efforts will be required. And here you can not do without self-awareness. The formation of personality occurs under the influence of events occurring around it and emerging experiences. But it is worth noting that these tests benefit the individual. Without difficult situations and experiences, its development would immediately cease.
The life of any person proceeds in such a way that he voluntarily or involuntarily learns new things, and also makes some efforts in order to realize his dreams and plans. And self-consciousness in this plays a major role.
As a rule, individuality does not cost anyone cheaply. People are forced to defend it in front of close people and colleagues, who sometimes simply do not understand the desires that have arisen. Building your own image that doesn’t look like anyone else allows you to form “I - concepts” of personality self-awareness. It also determines what the person will become in the future, and also thanks to which he will achieve his goals. And all this is greatly influenced by the level of self-awareness.
The formation of self-defense
From a very early age, a person learns to build his behavior in such a way as to minimize the negative impact that can be exerted on him by people around him. It is known that society has a negative attitude towards those who stand out from the crowd. Such a person has his own view on these or other things, which differs from the generally accepted one. Sometimes she demonstrates extraordinary qualities and abilities. And this is very dislike for those who do not have a special level of intelligence.
Without the formation of self-defense, the functions of self-consciousness could not be considered complete. After all, one of the prerequisites for personal maturation is an inner sense of peace. How to achieve a similar result? Psychologists recommend mentally imagining themselves in the form of a dense balloon, which no one and nothing can catch on. Such an approach will allow a person to feel happy. After all, mentally, he will consider that he has acquired internal security.
Behavior self-regulation
The formation of a person’s self-awareness allows her to control internal mechanisms and experiences. At the same time, an improvement in one's own mood, as well as a change in the way of thinking or reorienting the concentration of attention to one or another object, becomes available to a person.
Learning to control their behavior and the child who falls into society. Gradually, he realizes what is good in his actions and what is bad, how he can behave, and how not.
A person living in society, there is a need to comply with etiquette. Individuals have to adapt to them, while listening to their self-identity.
Often, the performance of one or another necessary activity is mandatory for a person. And in this case, self-regulation of behavior is connected. Indeed, the execution of all actions is possible only with the receipt of the internal permission of the "I".
Self-esteem
The level of self-awareness plays a huge role not only in the formation, but also in the future life path of a person. The degree of fame of the individual, his self-confidence, as well as his activity in the pursuit of new achievements will largely depend on what the goals and plans of the individual are.
It is also important in the formation of self-awareness and self-esteem of the individual. Psychologists note that these two concepts are closely related and have a mutual influence on each other.
Why do some people have low self-esteem, while in others it reaches a considerable level? The explanation for this lies in the experience that a person received in childhood and adolescence. Self-esteem also depends on the society that surrounded the individual. If parents constantly make a small child feel guilty, then, having matured, he will constantly demonstrate restraint. In his soul there will be a fear of wrong actions that may disappoint those close to him.
But even in the case when the parents satisfy any whims of their child, a person will come to life who is not able to accept even the slightest refusals. Such a person for a long time will remain infantilism and dependence on others.
Self-awareness of a person directly affects the self-esteem of the person. The more confident he is, the less society will be able to invade and lead his life.
Psychologists note the fact that someone who is able to take responsibility for achieving individual goals will necessarily have an adequate self-esteem. Indeed, well aware of his weaknesses and strengths, a person will not engage in self-flagellation for any trifle, letting things go by their own accord.
Increased self-awareness
Sometimes it seems to a person that those around him are observing his actions, discussing them and waiting for what will be undertaken by the individual in the future. This is the state of increased self-awareness. Often it puts a person in an awkward position and even makes you very nervous. Of course, people come to the center of attention infrequently. However, this feeling sometimes becomes chronic.
A shy person has a more pronounced level of private self-awareness. This can be both a bad and a good sign.
People with a deep sense of self are more aware of their beliefs and feelings. This leads to the fact that they are steadily adhering to personal values. And this is the positive side of increased self-awareness. But at the same time, sensitive people are often overcome with various ailments. Such negative health effects are due to constant stress and growing anxiety. Sometimes such people experience pronounced depressive states.
A public, but at the same time shy person has a more developed social identity. He believes that other people often think of him, and is worried that they can judge his appearance or take any action. As a result, sensitive individuals try to adhere to group norms and try to avoid a situation in which they will look bad or feel awkward.
Self-identity in psychology is a topic that attracts special attention. A person's understanding of his inner “I” is associated with his development and formation. At the same time, not only psychologists are engaged in the study of self-consciousness. Interested in this topic and some branches of sociology and pedagogy. Many modern scholars are turning to self-awareness. This allows them to make grandiose discoveries in various fields of science.