Self-awareness of the individual - what is it in psychology?

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

A person is able to regulate and control his own behavior and actions through the knowledge of himself, his moral, mental and physical powers. This is where the great role of consciousness is revealed. After all, it has a great influence on the activities and lives of each individual.

Under consciousness, we understand the highest form of development and manifestation of the human psyche. It determines his direction and control, mental direction of action, as well as the ability to draw up a personal account of what is happening in the individual himself, as well as in the world around him.

Consciousness consists of a number of essential components. Among them is the totality of knowledge gained about the world, the setting of life tasks and goals, the attitude of a person to everything around him and to other people, as well as self-consciousness. The one whose state can be described as wakefulness is perfectly aware of everything that happens to him. This is self-consciousness, which is a historically later and at the same time more fragile product of the development of the human psyche.

Definition of 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 focus of consciousness on one's body, behavior and feelings. Self-consciousness also means lifelong stages of control and study, as well as evaluation by a person of his activity. This process is endless. And it can be explained by the fact that a person is constantly changing throughout his life.

Self-consciousness leads to awareness of one's "I", and in all the diversity of the characteristics of the individual. There is a separation of oneself from the whole world around. At the same time, the individual evaluates all his characteristics, comparing them with the qualities of other people.

Self-consciousness 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 mental world has.

Some scientists believe that the term "self-awareness" in its meaning is very close to such a concept as "personality". At the same time, L. S. Vygotsky suggested that the development of such awareness occurs according to a scheme close to that which the higher physical functions go through. A. N. Leontiev, on the other hand, divided this term, highlighting two components. This is knowledge about oneself (he considered such a direction as an idea of the boundaries of one's own body and its physical capabilities) and self-awareness (he attributed this concept to individual experience, generalized with the help of speech).

A bit of history

The ancient Greek philosopher Plotinus, who lived in the 3rd century. n. e., he was the first to see the spiritual, divine principle in everything bodily. 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 certain world soul. She is drawn to her. In addition, the philosopher believed that a person has another vector of activity, it is directed to the world of feelings. Each soul, as Plotinus believed, has another direction. It is expressed in the focus on oneself, on one's own content and one's invisible actions. This conversion follows the work of the soul, being at the same time its kind of mirror.

After many centuries, a person's ability not only to think, remember, feel and feel, but also to have 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 activity of the subject, while combining its orientation in the internal world, that is, in itself, with the orientation in the external world.

But whatever the explanations for such a phenomenon, they all boiled down to the search for a certain dependence of mental impulses on physical causes, communication with people around and on the processes occurring in the body. However, the factors influencing the emergence of reflection, which was once discovered by Plotinus, have not been discovered. The theory of the ancient Greek philosopher remained self-sufficient for a long time, while becoming the initial concept in the psychology of consciousness.

This topicinterested scientists in subsequent periods of human existence. A similar trend is developing today. Moreover, it is in recent years that the greatest activity in its study has been observed. For example, interesting research on self-awareness of the individual was carried out in 1979 by Lewis and Brooks-Gan. Scientists attached a red dot to the nose of babies, and then brought them to the mirror. The children, who recognized their reflection, pulled their little hands to their own noses. In this case, scientists believed that in these babies self-awareness had already received its definite development. In these experiments, children less than a year old tended to gravitate toward their reflection in a mirror. 25% of children aged 15 to 18 months have touched their noses, as well as 70% of 21 to 24 month olds.

Researchers believe that the main role in the development of self-awareness is assigned to a certain area of the brain, which is located in the frontal lobe. An experiment conducted by Lewis and Brooks-Gan indicated that the understanding of the inner "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 anterior part of the brain.

Stages of development

Self-consciousness of the individual is formed simultaneously with the mental development of the child, when the formation of his individual and intellectual spheres takes place. This process spans almost from the birth of a person to adolescence and continues beyond.

The formation of self-awareness of the individual at the first stageassociated with the formation of a body scheme in a little man. It is a kind of subjective image that indicates to the child the relative position of the parts of the body and their movement in space. The formation of such an idea occurs on the basis of the information that children receive when they acquire life experience. In the future, the schema of the body gradually begins to extend beyond its physical forms. Over time, it includes, for example, items that are in direct contact with the skin (clothes). All those sensations that arise in a child create in him various emotions associated with the well-being of the body. It can be an impression of comfort or discomfort. Thus, the body schema becomes the first component in the structure of the self-consciousness of the individual.

The second stage of the formation of the concept of one's own "I" starts simultaneously with the beginning of walking. At the same time, it is not so much the technique of movements that is new for him that is important for the child, but the opportunity that has appeared for him to communicate with different people. The kid becomes independent of who will lead him and who will approach 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-awareness of the individual at this stage is expressed in some 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 "You" relationship.

The next stage in the formation of self-consciousness of the individual is the development of a gender-role identity in the baby. itIt is expressed in the fact that the child begins to refer to himself as a certain sex and is aware of the content of the sex role. The leading mechanism of such a process is identification. Children liken themselves to another person in the form of his actions and experiences.

The most important stage in the development of self-awareness and the formation of personality 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 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 influencing 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 due to the desire to experience a certain independence, as well as to oppose oneself to others. Such aspirations of the individual for independence lead to periodic conflicts with others.

The growth of self-awareness and the development of personality continue from 7 to 12 years. This is the time when the child accumulates reserves. The process of increasing self-awareness in this case occurs without tangible jumps 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.

Self-personality begins to interest the child again from 12 to 14 years. In this perioda new crisis is developing. The child opposes himself to adults and strives to be different from them. During this period, social self-awareness is especially 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 is the rise of individuality, which moves to a new level. At the same time, the person himself begins to influence the further development of all the characteristics of the self-consciousness of the individual. This 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-awareness of the individual begins to occupy a central position. At this age, a person's own status among his peers becomes very important, as well as the assessment that social thought gives to his inner "I".

During this period, the self-consciousness of the individual is mainly composed of the worldview and self-affirmation of the subject. The same concepts become the 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 has about himself, as well as about life positions, the world around him and the actions of people. It is based on the knowledge and experience that an individual has accumulated before this period. All this gives the activity of the growing personality a conscious character.

As for self-affirmation, psychologists consider it as a human behavior, due to an increase in self-esteem and desiremaintaining a certain level of social status. What method an 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-awareness of the individual. Among them are:

• realizing the meaning of life and the irreversibility of time;
• comprehension of love as an expression of feelings of a socio-psychological nature;
• growth of self-respect.

Along with the categories described above, psychologists distinguish social status and social role. They also have an important influence on the formation of human self-consciousness.

Under the social role is understood such a characteristic of an individual's behavior, which is expressed in the performance of the behavior patterns accepted in society. It includes the role expectations of the individual and their performance itself. This category is an important factor in the formation of the inner "I". After all, a high level of social self-awareness 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 it is achieved through directed actions.

Types of self-awareness

In psychology, there are different types of the inner "I" of a person. Among them:

1. Publicself-awareness. It occurs when people begin to understand how others look at them. Features of self-awareness of a person of this type lie in the fact that it arises in those situations when the individual falls into the center of attention. For example, he may speak to an audience or talk to a group of acquaintances. Very often, social self-consciousness makes a person comply with social norms. After all, understanding that you are being evaluated and being watched leads to the fact that everyone strives to be polite and cultured.
2. Private self-awareness. A similar type of understanding of one's own "I" arises, for example, when a person sees himself in a mirror. That is, it appears when understanding some aspects of oneself.
3. Moral self-awareness of the individual. The period of formation of this type of understanding of the inner "I" a person passes at an early age. Young children take their parents and teachers as role models. Teenagers, on the other hand, tend to pay attention most of all to their personal experience and listen to what their inner voice tells them. Moral self-consciousness helps a person in his striving for perfection. 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, certain values contribute to the determination of the further type of activity and the development of the individual.

Structure of self-consciousness

Understanding a person's own "I" includes 3 main elements. All of them have an effect on each other. The structure of a person's 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:

1. "I am real." This element is the idea that the person has about himself at the present time. The role in the self-consciousness of the personality "I - the real" allows a person to evaluate an 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 worker 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 between such images to each other, a person experiences additional suffering and experiences. He begins to seriously reflect on his life.
2. "I am perfect." This is the second element of self-awareness of the individual. In psychology, it is considered as evidence of the internal aspirations for self-improvement and the motives of a person. The “I am the 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 personality itself in the future indicates many of its features. The level of claims of a person, his confidence inyourself, as well as the presence of ambition. More often than not, people underestimate what has already been achieved. In this regard, the vision of oneself in the future as a person, as a rule, is idealized. You can dream about anything. Moreover, everyone knows that doing this is much more pleasant than actively acting to change the existing inner reality. Self-awareness of the individual is the vector that directs each person to change.
3. "I am the past." This structural element is the most dramatic in the processes of self-consciousness of the individual. 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 to act actively at the moment. Everything she does 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 correctly orient himself in the future life.

All the elements described above in the concept of self-consciousness of a person form a single structure, which is an integral system. A person who has learned to appreciate his present will certainly realize his potential in the future much easier.

Functions of self-awareness

Thanks to the vision of one's 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 ideas about oneself that leads to the fact that the individual develops the right behavior.based on the existing conditions. At the same time, the functions of self-consciousness 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 the individual to:

1. Motivate yourself to do a particular activity. In other words, a person develops a professional self-awareness of a person, which is based on a personal assessment of one's own capabilities, as well as on an understanding of duties and rights.
2. To form an individual attitude to current events and people around.
3. Continuous improvement and development. With the fall of self-consciousness and self-esteem of the individual, the degradation of a person occurs.

Among the many functions that people's internal vision of their own "I" performs, there are three main ones. Let's take a closer look at them.

Identity Shaping

Every person is unique in their own way. He appears simultaneously from several positions, being an individual, a person and a subject of activity. However, this does not mean at all that everyone will be able to achieve a harmonious interaction of all properties, qualities, and methods of activity throughout their lives. In other words, not all people are capable of becoming individuals.

Indeed, self-awareness and personal development happens differently for everyone. At the same time, not every person is able to fully use their potential, having come to the highest results in a particular activity. Suffers from this and professionalself-consciousness of the individual. At the same time, a person's work becomes unproductive and uncreative.

For the development of individuality, you will need to make tremendous internal efforts. And here you can not do without self-consciousness. The formation of personality occurs under the influence of events occurring around it and emerging experiences. But it is worth noting that these tests are for the benefit of the individual. Without difficult situations and experiences, her development would immediately stop.

The life of any person proceeds in such a way that he voluntarily or involuntarily learns new things, and also makes some efforts to realize his dreams and plans. And self-awareness plays a major role in this.

In general, individuality doesn't come cheap. 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, unlike anyone else, allows you to form the "I - concepts" of the self-consciousness of the individual. It is she who determines what a person will become in the future, and also thanks to what he will achieve his goals. And all this is greatly influenced by the level of self-awareness.

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 the 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 certain things,different from the common one. Sometimes she demonstrates extraordinary qualities and abilities. And this is very disliked by 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 such a result? Psychologists recommend mentally imagining yourself as a dense balloon, which no one and nothing can cling to. Such an approach will make a person feel happy. After all, mentally he will consider that he has acquired internal security.

Self-regulation of behavior

Formation of self-awareness of the individual allows her to control the internal mechanisms and experiences. At the same time, a person becomes available to improve his own mood, as well as changing the way of thinking or reorienting the concentration of attention to a particular object.

Learning to control their behavior and a child who enters society. Gradually, he realizes what is good and what is bad in his actions, how he can behave and how not.

A person living in society, there is a need to observe the rules of etiquette. Personality has to adapt to them, while listening to their self-consciousness.

Often, the performance of one or another necessary activity is mandatory for a person. And in this case, self-regulation of behavior is connected. After all, the execution of all actions is possible only whenobtaining the internal permission of your "I".

Personal 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 activity in striving for new achievements will largely depend on what the goals and plans of the individual are.

It is important in the formation of self-awareness and self-esteem of the individual. Psychologists note that these two concepts are closely related and mutually influence each other.

Why do some people have low self-esteem, while others have it reaches a considerable level? The explanations for this lie 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, as an adult, he will constantly show restraint. In his soul there will be a fear of wrong actions that may disappoint people close to him.

But even in the case when parents satisfy any whims of their child, a person will come into life who is not able to accept even the slightest refusals. Such a person will remain infantile and dependent on others for a long time.

The self-awareness of a person directly affects the self-esteem of the individual. The more confident he is, the less society will be able to interfere in his life and manage it.

Psychologists note the fact that one who is able to take responsibility for achieving individualgoals, will necessarily have adequate self-esteem. After all, being well aware of his strengths and weaknesses, a person will not engage in self-flagellation over any trifle, letting things take their course.

Heightened self-awareness

Sometimes it seems to a person that others are watching his actions, discussing them and waiting for what the individual will do in the future. This is the state of heightened self-awareness. Often it puts a person in an awkward position and even makes them very nervous. Of course, people are rarely in the center of attention. 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 them to adhere to personal values unswervingly. And that's the positive side of heightened self-awareness. But at the same time, sensitive people are more often overcome by various ailments. Such negative he alth consequences arise from constant stress and growing anxiety. Sometimes such people experience pronounced depressive states.

A public but shy person has a more developed social self-awareness. He assumes that other people often think about him, and worries that they may judge his appearance or any of his actions. As a result, sensitive individuals try to adhere to group norms and tend toavoid a situation that makes them look bad or feel uncomfortable.

Self-awareness of the individual in psychology is a topic that attracts special attention. A person's understanding of his inner "I" is connected with his development and formation. At the same time, not only psychologists are engaged in the study of self-consciousness. This topic is also of interest to some branches of sociology and pedagogy. Many modern researchers also turn to self-consciousness. This allows them to make grandiose discoveries in various fields of science.