The Self as Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulrich Weger ◽  
Klaus Herbig
Keyword(s):  
Self Esteem ◽  
Religious Studies ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Ideal Self ◽  
The Real ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Person Perspective ◽  
Self Schema ◽  
Core Self

The self is a complex and heterogeneous phenomenon that is often described through its subcomponents (e.g., self-control, self-esteem, self-compassion). The entity that unifies these subcomponents is more elusive and difficult to access, at least with standard psychological methods. In the current inquiry we set out to illuminate and extend the understanding of the self by exploring the differentiation of the self as a “content” versus a “process” (e.g., self-schema vs. self-activity). We also differentiate the “self” from the “I,” exploring characteristics of a 3rd- versus a 1st-person perspective to this core psychological entity. We pursue an empirical 1st-person inquiry that is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on concepts from both psychology and religious studies (in particular the “essential” or “core” self in psychology, as well as the “real” or “ideal” self in religious studies in the form of the “I Am” statements in the Gospels). Our approach illustrates how a consideration of phenomenological, 1st-person qualities of selfhood allows for an enriched, empirically based understanding of crucially important but subtle dimensions of I-ness that remain inaccessible to 3rd-person exploration.

scholarly journals The Effects of Self-Compassion and Self-Esteem Writing Interventions on Women’s Valuation of Weight Management Goals, Body Appreciation, and Eating Behaviors

2021 ◽  
pp. 036168432110134
Author(s):  
Kheana Barbeau ◽  
Camille Guertin ◽  
Kayla Boileau ◽  
Luc Pelletier
Keyword(s):  
Weight Management ◽  
Expressive Writing ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Self ◽  
Body Appreciation ◽  
Writing Interventions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Bulimic Symptoms

In this study, we examined the effects of body-focused daily self-compassion and self-esteem expressive writing activities on women’s valuation of weight management goals, body appreciation, bulimic symptoms, and healthy and unhealthy eating behaviors. One-hundred twenty-six women, recruited from the community and a university participant pool ( Mage = 29.3, SD = 13.6), were randomly allocated to one of the three writing conditions: body-focused self-compassion, body-focused self-esteem, or control. Women reflected on a moment within the past 24 hours that made them feel self-conscious about their bodies, eating, or exercise habits (self-compassion and self-esteem conditions) or on a particular situation or feeling that occurred in the past 24 hours (control condition) for 4–7 days. At post-treatment (24 hours after the intervention), women in the self-compassion group demonstrated decreased bulimic symptoms, while women in the self-esteem and control conditions did not. Furthermore, clinically significant changes in bulimic symptoms were associated with being in the self-compassion condition but not in the self-esteem or control conditions. Results suggest that body-focused writing interventions may be more effective in temporarily reducing eating disorder symptoms in women if they focus on harnessing self-compassion. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843211013465

Improvement in Self-Concept during Psychotherapy in a Maximum Security Prison

1974 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 311-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert R. Zimmermann ◽  
Raymond Guest ◽  
Charles Geist
Keyword(s):  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Concept Inventory ◽  
Prison Inmates ◽  
Ideal Self ◽  
Maximum Security ◽  
Maximum Security Prison ◽  
Therapeutic Program ◽  
Psychotherapy Program

24 prison inmates who participated in a psychotherapy program were compared on a self-concept inventory with 19 inmates who did not participate. Self-esteem was defined in terms of the discrepancy between actual-self and ideal-self measures. The greater the discrepancy, the lower the self-esteem. A significant number of Ss in the therapeutic program showed reduction in the discrepancy score after 1 yr. in the program, while the non-therapy Ss showed a slight, but nonsignificant, increase.

The Self and the Ideal Self: Methodological Study of Pedophiles

1967 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 699-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise V. Frisbie ◽  
Frank J. Vanasek ◽  
Harvey F. Dingman
Keyword(s):  
Child Molesters ◽  
The Self ◽  
Methodological Study ◽  
Ideal Self ◽  
The Real ◽  
Real Self ◽  
The Ideal

Ratings of the self and of the ideal self were obtained from 215 institutionalized child molesters and 143 child molesters who were living in the community. The discrepancy between the two ratings of the self is seen to be related to the descriptive terms used to depict the self Words that are clearly evaluative in nature did not lead to discrepancies in the two ratings. Words that were descriptive but nonevaluative gave rise to large differences between ratings of the ideal self and the real self. There were few apparent differences between the child molesters in the community and those in the institution.

The Measurement, Nomological Net, and Theory of Perceived Self-Esteem Instability: Applying the Conservation of Resources Theory to Understand the Construct

2018 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 1007-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt C. Howard
Keyword(s):  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Self ◽  
Conservation Of Resources ◽  
Conservation Of Resources Theory ◽  
Initial Field ◽  
Current Article ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Core Self ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Theoretical Dynamics

The current article performs the first focused investigation into the construct of perceived self-esteem instability (P-SEI). Four studies investigate the construct's measurement, nomological net, and theoretical dynamics. Study 1 confirms the factor structure of a P-SEI Measure, supporting that P-SEI can be adequately measured. Study 2 identifies an initial nomological net surrounding P-SEI, showing that the construct is strongly related to stable aspects of the self (i.e., neuroticism and core self-evaluations). In Studies 3 and 4, the Conservation of Resources Theory is applied to develop and test five hypotheses. These studies show that P-SEI is predicted by self-esteem level and stressors, and the relationship of certain stressors is moderated by self-esteem contingencies. P-SEI also predicts stress, depression, anxiety, and certain defensive postures. From these studies and the integration of Conservation of Resources Theory, we suggest that P-SEI emerges through an interaction between environmental influences and personal resources, and we provide a theoretical model to better understand the construct of P-SEI. We suggest that this theory-driven model can prompt the initial field of study on P-SEI.

The Importance of Self-Esteem

2018 ◽  
pp. 27-46
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Mruk
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Control ◽  
The Other ◽  
Pivotal Role ◽  
Personal Career ◽  
Self Protection

The second chapter focuses on the two major functions of self-esteem, especially as they occur in relation to positive psychology, self-control or regulation, and positive emotions. One important function is self-protection, which concerns maintaining a sense of self and identity. In this sense, self-esteem is seen as buffering us from stress in everyday life, helping us deal with disappointment, and bouncing back from failure. The other major self-esteem function concerns enhancement or the expansion of the self and its abilities. In this case, it is shown how healthy self-esteem plays a pivotal role in helping us move beyond our comfort zone, take risks to reach past current limits, see new possibilities, and explore different personal, career, and interpersonal dimensions of life. This material also includes examining the three major theories of self-esteem and the nature of positive emotions.

scholarly journals Empathic And Assertive Communication. Efficient Communication Developments

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 214-217
Author(s):  
Oana-Antonia Ilie ◽  
Ileana-Gentilia Metea
Keyword(s):  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Conflict Situations ◽  
Favorable Impression ◽  
Efficient Communication ◽  
Empathic Communication

Abstract We are always confronted with situations in which prevailing socially is strictly a matter of conversational technique. First, empathy and the mirroring of the other's emotional states and gestures is a must of efficient communication. Secondly, in order to prevent conflict situations one must learn to communicate assertively. Empathic communication is the ability or talent of knowing what other people feel and is essential when we want to produce or generate feedback. Assertive communication refers to the ability to express feelings and choices in a way that the self-esteem and feelings of others are not affected. A person who has these communicative competences will know to express wishes and feelings, to refuse and express opinions without offending the others, while maintaining a favorable impression and self-control.

scholarly journals Attitude to Coming-of-Age in Adolescents of Saint-Petersburg and Smolensk in Context of their Resiliency

2018 ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Bezgodova ◽  
A. V. Miklyaeva ◽  
V. V. Tereshchenko
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Study ◽  
Coming Of Age ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
The Self ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Ideal Self ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Saint Petersburg ◽  
And Control

The article features an empirical study of the attitude of adolescents to coming-of-age with various resiliency in St. Petersburgand Smolensk. The research employed a modified version of the Dembo-Rubinshtein selfevaluation methodology. The actual and ideal self-esteem of the teenagers was measured in terms of «adulthood», «willingness to be an adult» and «desire to grow up»; their resilience was assessed with the help of a screening version of the Resiliency. The characteristics of the regulatory, moral and reflexive spheres were assessed according to the Self-Assessment Scale of Personal Maturity. The research demonstrated that adolescents from Smolenskassessed their desire to grow up significantly higher than those from St. Petersburg, while their level of actual and ideal self esteem of adulthood remained the same. The adolescents from St. Petersburgshowed lower rates of conative, reflexive and moral maturity, as well as resiliency, primarily in terms of involvement and control. Depending on the strategy of growing up, resiliency is a resource (for an internally coordinated strategy of coming-of-age) or a personal condition for exercising control over one's own life (for an internally conflicting strategy of coming-of-age). The data obtained are used in the psychological and pedagogical accompaniment of adolescents growing up in different sociocultural conditions. There is a tendency to further research on the influence of socio-cultural factors on the implementation of a particular coming-of age strategy and teenagers’ attitude.

The Pathogenic and Therapeutic Potential of the Gaze of the Other in the Clinic of “Eating Disorders”

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 291-297
Author(s):  
Cecilia Maria Esposito ◽  
Giovanni Stanghellini
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Control ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Gaze ◽  
Person Perspective ◽  
Third Person Perspective ◽  
Embodied Self ◽  
Body Subject

Building on the optical-coenaesthetic disproportion model of so-called eating disorders, this paper provides a framework for the psychotherapy of people affected by these conditions. This model characterizes “eating disorders” as disorders of embodiment and identity, where a sense of unfamiliarity with one’s own flesh, experienced as shifting and incomprehensible, leads to an impairment in the constitution of the Self and thus of one’s own identity. Since there is a deficit of the coenaesthetic experience of the embodied Self, greater importance is assumed by body perception conveyed from without. To these persons, their corporeality is principally given as a body-object “to be seen” from a third-person perspective, rather than as a body-subject “to be felt” from a first-person perspective. The Other’s look serves as an optical prosthesis to cope with dis-coenaesthesia and as a device through which these persons can define themselves. They are unable to accept the hiatus between “being a body” and “having a body,” constitutively present in every human being, forcibly trying to recouple it, and finally ending up objectifying themselves to succeed. The external foundation of the Self thus takes the form of a constriction one can never be completely free of. Psychotherapy should thus accompany persons affected by eating disorders in their encounter with the miscarried dialectic between feeling oneself from within and seeing oneself from without through the gaze of the Other, so keenly feared by people desperately in search of self-control. Tactfully, the clinician accompanies the patient in taking a stance towards her symptom as the outcome of this miscarried dialectics, which is one premise for overcoming it. The clinician’s gaze becomes the herald of recognition, allowing the patient to feel accepted in terms of her individuality. Feeling themselves touched by a gaze that waives its alienating potential in order to signify acceptance reactivates the identity-forming dialectics. Their body is thus revealed as the receiver of gazes, but also rediscovers its own possibility for self-determination starting out from these gazes. This intersubjective resonance between the clinician’s gaze and the patient reactivates the identity-making dialectics between body-subject and body-object, creating the relational premises for overcoming the symptom.

Running for Their Lives: A Qualitative Analysis of the Exercise Experience of Female Recreational Runners

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Bond ◽  
Joanne Batey
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Self ◽  
Physical Competence ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Self Schema ◽  
Recreational Runners ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Depth Interviews

This study explores the relationship between self-cognitions and running behavior in a group of female recreational runners. Consistent with theories of self-esteem and exerciser self-schemata, it aims to identify how running can impact on the self, and how self-cognitions can influence motivation and adherence to running. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women of varying age, ability, and running experience who had entered a major women’s 10K race. Inductive data analysis revealed that there was a bi-directional relationship between running involvement and self-cognitions. Running provided experiences which led to enhanced self-esteem, notably through perceived improvements to the physical self, but also through increases in mastery/achievement and physical competence. These changes contributed to the value of running for the women, strengthened their exercise self-schema, and increased the likelihood of adherence to running. However, family responsibilities constrained the women in their ability to run, impacting on the exercise-self relationship outlined.

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