The development of Self-concept

Author: Kuo Wei-Fan

Abstract：

The present study is based on the assumption that behavior is pur-poseful and caused, that it is the Self-concept which makes sense to this intentionality and meaning of human behavior. It is also the Self-concept which serves to integrate the learning experiences, to select the reactions in response to the living-situation, and to personalize the perception in regard to his total environment.
The Self-conoept is developed through the individual's interaction with the people and his outside world, including his "significant adult", his family, his peer groups and his socio-cultural background. The psycho genetic development of Self has been divided into three stages:
(1) The Egocentric stage: This is the period during which the bodyimage is formulated and the object relations (as defined by Rene A. Spitz) is established.
(2) The objective stage: The period from the age of three to the puberty. During this phase, a variety of social roles are brought to fore through the intensive interpersonal contacts.
(3) The Subjective stage: The formation of a personal hierarchy of values is dominant during the adolescence. The Self becomes reflexive and sets forth a personal attitude toward his life.
These three stages of development correspond respectively to the apparition of the Self-concept: Biological Self, Social Self and Psychological Self.
The deviations of Self formation havn been discussed in this article. The author emphasizes that physical dissatisfaction and emotional insecu-rity in early childhood, feelings of rejections and incapacity in the school age and the discrepancy between the Self-estimate and his Self-ideal during the adolescence, these situations tend to generate the anxiety leading to maladjustment and psychopathological problems.

《Full Text》