01 November 2023

Sense of Self and Self-Identity

Sense of Self and Self-Identity: Awareness, Research and Resources

Who am I? Sense of Self and Self-Identity

“. . . my experience as a psychotherapist working with people with troubled bodies shows that the kind of touch we receive when we are little and the impact of a mother's (or carer's) physical sense of herself are crucial to the development of our own body sense. Our bodies are a lot more than an executed blueprint given by our DNA.”― Susie Orbach

Self-Concept Theory

Sense of Self and Self-Identity Research

Sense of Self and Self-Identity
"Sense of self and self-identity are fundamental aspects of an individual's perception and understanding of who they are. They are closely related but have nuanced differences:

Sense of Self:
A sense of self refers to the collection of beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions that an individual has about themselves. It includes one's understanding of their own personality, preferences, strengths, weaknesses, and values. This can be influenced by various factors such as personal experiences, relationships, culture, and societal norms. It's an ongoing, dynamic process that evolves as people grow and adapt to new experiences.

Self-Identity:
Self-identity is the recognition and understanding of oneself as a distinct individual. It involves the awareness of one's characteristics, traits, beliefs, and experiences that make them unique. Self-identity often includes how one defines themselves in terms of roles, affiliations (such as being a parent, a student, a friend, a professional), cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, and other defining factors.

Both sense of self and self-identity are crucial for an individual's psychological well-being and their interactions with the world. They affect decision-making, relationships, and overall life satisfaction. Development of a strong and coherent sense of self and self-identity often involves introspection, exploration, and experiences that shape an individual's understanding of themselves.

It's important to note that these concepts are not static; they can evolve over time due to personal growth, experiences, and changes in circumstances. They are also subject to personal interpretation and may differ from one person to another." (Source: ChatGPT 2023)

A Systematic Review of Children’s Construction of the Self: Implications for Children’s Subjective Well-Being PDF Download Elizabeth Benninger and Shazly Savahl Child Indicators Research University of the Western Cape

Characteristics of the Self-Concept Maricopa Community Colleges


Defining Self-Awareness in the Context of Adult Development: A Systematic Literature Review Sage Journals

Developing Self-Awareness: Learning Processes for Self- and Interpersonal Growth Annual Reviews

Differences between Self and Identity Ifioque

Finding Yourself: How to Develop a Strong Sense of Self Psych Central

How to Build a Strong Sense of Self Psychology Today

How To Develop A Strong Sense Of Self And Self-Esteem BetterHelp

Perception Is Reality: The Looking-Glass Self Lesley University

Rediscovering Rogers's Self Theory and Personality ResearchGate

The Development of Self and Identity in Adolescence: Neural Evidence and Implications for a Value-Based Choice Perspective on Motivated Behavior NIH

The Importance of Self-Esteem and Self-Concept in Mental Health Toby Barron Therapy

The Makeup and Theories of Self Concept Psych Central

Self-Awareness and Sense of Identity Everyday Mental Health Classroom Resource

Self-Concept Theory - How Do You See Yourself? Explorable

Self-Concept, Self-Image and Self-Esteem Tutor2u

Self Concept in Counselling Counselling Tutor

Subjective Change and Mental Health: A Self-Concept Theory JSTOR

What Is Self-Concept and Why Does It Matter? Psychology Today

‘Who Am I?’ How to Find Your Sense of Self Healthline

Who am I? Developing a Sense of Self and Belonging Zero to Three

What Is Self-Concept? Verywell Mind

What is Self-Concept? Theory, Examples & How To Form It High 5 Test

What is Self-Concept Theory? A Psychologist Explains Positive Psychology

The Philosophy Of Personal Identity - Who Are You? - Video