Self Understanding in:

Infancy

Early Childhood

Middle/Late Childhood

Adolescence

Infancy - Ability to recognize one's physical features

Emerges at 2 years

Self-talk ("me!")

Early Childhood - Not limited to visual self-recognition

Preschool children defien themselves in concrete terms (boy, girl)

4-5 years, they begin to use psychological traits and emotional terms

i.e. happy, sad, big, small, sad, strong, weak, etc.

Middle/Late Childhood- Internal characteristics

Social descriptions

Social comparisons - real self v. ideal self

Adolescence - abstract

self-conscious

fluctuates

General self-worth

Global evaluation of self

Domain-specific evaluation of attributes of self

i.e. athletic, academic, appearance, etc.

This is high in childhood, declines in adolescence, increases again in adulthood, and declines again in late adulthood

Self-perception profile for children with 5 competencies

Scholastic, Athletic, social, ***physical appearance***, behavioral conduct

Self Perception profile for adolescents

Domains form children PLUS close friendships, romantic appeal, job competence

High academic achievements, happiness, healthyness

Pro social and anti-social behavior

Implications for teachers and parents

Inflated self-esteem

Unrealistic expectations