3.2.2 Development of Self

Key Ideas

1. Self-Awareness: Recognizing yourself as distinct from others. This usually develops in early childhood.
2. Self-Concept: Understanding of one's self, including physical features, opinions, and capabilities.
3. Identity Formation: Developing a proper sense of self.
4. Self-Regulation: Regulating one's behaviour, e.g. impulse control.

Attachment

Attachment Theory

1. Attachment is a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space.
2. John Bowlby, the father of attachment theory, proposed that children are biologically predisposed to form attachments with caregivers as a means of survival.
3. Parents should provide a secure base from which the child can explore the world.
4. This includes reinforcing behaviour, validating emotions, and reflecting emotions.

Types of Attachment Styles

1. Secure Attachment: Children feel safe and trust their caregiver to meet their needs.
2. Insecure-Avoidant Attachment: Children become independent and avoid seeking comfort from caregivers.
3. Insecure-Ambivalent/Resistant Attachment: Children are anxious and unsure whether their caregiver will meet their needs.
4. Disorganized Attachment: Children display a lack of clear attachment behavior, often due to inconsistent or abusive caregiving.

Impact on Personality and Self-Concept

1. Secure Attachment: Leads to higher self-esteem, better social skills, and healthier relationships.
2. Insecure Attachment: Can result in low self-esteem, difficulties in trusting others, and challenges in emotional regulation.

Enculturation

1. Enculturation is the process by which individuals learn and adopt the values, norms, and behaviors of their culture.
2. It occurs through observation, imitation, and direct teaching from parents, teachers, peers, and the media.
3. Social norms are unspoken rules in a certain culture. Conforming to them increases identification to that culture.

Enculturation and Self-Identity

1. Role Models: Children learn cultural norms by observing parents, teachers, and peers.
2. Language: Language shapes thought patterns and reinforces cultural values.
3. Rituals and Traditions: Participation in cultural rituals fosters a sense of belonging and identity.

Peer Influence

Social Learning Theory

1. Albert Bandura's social learning theory posits that people learn behaviors by observing and imitating others.
2. Peers become increasingly influential during adolescence as individuals seek acceptance and validation.

Mechanisms of Peer Influence

1. Conformity: Adjusting behavior to align with group norms.
2. Peer Pressure: Direct or indirect encouragement to engage in specific behaviors.
3. Social Comparison: Evaluating oneself in relation to others.

Positive and Negative Peer Influence

1. Positive Influence: Peers can encourage prosocial behaviors, such as cooperation and empathy.
2. Negative Influence: Peers may promote risky behaviors, such as substance abuse or bullying.

Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

1. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) include trauma, abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.
2. ACEs can have long-term effects on physical and mental health, as well as self-concept.

Positive Childhood Experiences

1. Supportive relationships, stability, and positive reinforcement contribute to healthy self-development.
2. Positive experiences foster resilience, self-esteem, and emotional regulation through social learning.