The concept of "self" in [[psychology]] refers to the totality of an individual's conscious and unconscious attributes that define who they are. It includes identity, beliefs, traits, experiences, and the [[perception]] of oneself in relation to the world. Encompasses how individuals see themselves, who they want to be, and the value they place on themselves. It shapes motivation, identity, cognition, and social behavior. - [[Identity Fragmentation]] ## Components of Self - Self-concept: The organized, dynamic collection of beliefs, attitudes, and opinions about oneself, answering the question "Who am I?" It includes: - Self-image: How one perceives themselves currently in terms of physical traits, personality, and social roles. - Ideal self: The person one aspires to be, encompassing qualities and attributes desired. - Self-esteem: The value or emotional appraisal one places on oneself based on self-concept congruence. - [[Selfhood|Sense of Self]]: Awareness of oneself as a distinct entity, evolving from infancy onward, involving subjective ("I") and objective ("me") perspectives. - Functions of Self: Acts as an [[executive function]] guiding behavior and decisions, organizing experiences and thoughts, and forming social identity. ## Development and Influences - Self develops through experiences, social interactions, and reflections. - It evolves over time, influenced by internal traits and external feedback. - A healthy self-concept contributes to well-being, while incongruence between the real and ideal self may lead to dissatisfaction. ## The Brain and the Self The experience of self arises from distributed neural systems that integrate [[perception]], [[Memory]], and emotion. Several key brain regions are central to this process: - [[Prefrontal Cortex]]: Involved in self-reflection, decision-making, and [[social cognition]]; critical for constructing narrative identity and moral reasoning. - [[Amygdala]]: Governs emotional processing and responses to stimuli, influencing how experiences shape one’s self-concept and self-esteem. - [[Hippocampus]]: Essential for autobiographical memory and linking past experiences to a coherent sense of identity across time. - [[Insula]]: Integrates bodily sensations and emotions into self-awareness, playing a role in interoception (the [[perception]] of internal states). - [[Default Mode Network]] (DMN): A network of brain regions active during rest and self-referential thought, including the medial [[prefrontal cortex]] and posterior cingulate cortex; it underlies introspection and the continuity of the self. The self is not localized to a single structure but emerges from the coordination of these regions. Disruptions to these systems—such as damage to the [[Hippocampus]] (memory), [[Amygdala]] (emotion), or [[Prefrontal Cortex]] (executive control)—can lead to profound alterations in self-awareness, identity, or emotional stability. ## Integration of Mind and Body The embodied self links neural processing to physical sensations and actions: - The [[Insula]] and somatosensory cortices provide awareness of the body as part of self. - Interactions between the [[Amygdala]] and [[Hippocampus]] encode emotional memories that reinforce identity. - Conscious awareness of the body, emotions, and thoughts creates a unified subjective experience—the feeling of “being me.” ## Resources - [Self-Concept in Psychology: Definition, Development, Theories](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-concept-2795865) - [Self-concepts - APA Dictionary of Psychology](https://dictionary.apa.org/self-concept) - [Self-Concept in Psychology](https://www.simplypsychology.org/self-concept.html) - [What is Self-Concept Theory? A Psychologist Explains](https://positivepsychology.com/self-concept/) - [What is Self-concept in Psychology? - Aster Mental Health](https://www.astermentalhealth.com/what-is-self-concept-in-psychology/) - [Self-concept (psychology) | Research Starters - EBSCO](https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/self-concept-psychology) - [Self-concept - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-concept) - [Self-concept - (AP Psychology) - Vocab, Definition, Explanations](https://fiveable.me/key-terms/ap-psych-revised/self-concept) - [What Is Self-Concept and Why Does It Matter? - Psychology Today](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202109/what-is-self-concept-and-why-does-it-matter) - [The Neural Basis of the Self – Nature Reviews Neuroscience](https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn1787) - [Brain Structures and the [[Selfhood|Sense of Self]] – Frontiers in Psychology](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00926/full)