the scientific study of the mind and behavior. Psychologists are actively involved in studying and understanding mental processes, brain functions, and behavior.

a pioneering psychologist and philosopher, introduced a key distinction in his concept of the self: the "Me" and the "I. " This dual understanding forms a foundational idea in the study of the self and identity.

refers to the self as an object of knowledge or consciousness—the parts of oneself that can be known, reflected upon, and experienced. the self that feels continuous despite changes.

According to James, the "Me" self can be divided into three sub-components:

represents the self as the subject of experience, the one who knows and reflects. It's the more elusive aspect of self—it's the part that is aware, constantly perceiving, experiencing, and thinking. This is the active doer, the thinker behind thoughts.

sees the self as a unified, overarching entity. In this model, the self is viewed as a singular construct that influences thoughts, feelings, and behaviors across all situations. It suggests that individuals possess a core, consistent self that is relatively stable over time and across different contexts.

model suggests that the self is composed of multiple, context-dependent aspects. This view highlights the idea that the self is not one unified entity but instead varies across different roles, situations, and experiences. Individuals can have multiple selves that may be distinct or even contradictory, depending on the context.

refers to who a person actually is, encompassing their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and experiences as they truly are. It is the self that exists in reality, without distortions, and is rooted in the individual's genuine traits, abilities, and current situation.

represents who a person wants to be or aspires to become. It encompasses the qualities, behaviors, and attributes that an individual believes they should possess or strives to attain.

are the key themes in the psychological study of identity and self- concept.

refers to the idea that an individual has a single, coherent identity that remains relatively consistent across various contexts and situations. In this view, the self is perceived as a stable, continuous entity that integrates thoughts, emotions, and behaviors into a cohesive whole

refers to the idea that a person's identity is context-dependent and may shift depending on the situation or the social roles they occupy. This view suggests that individuals possess multiple "selves" that are activated in different environments or in relation to different people.

were originally developed by the British psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott within the framework of object relations theory. These ideas focus on how individuals navigate their sense of self in relation to their environment, particularly during early childhood, but also throughout life. The true and false selves represent two different modes of being, which reflect authenticity or lack thereof in a person’s identity and behavior.

British phychianalyst who originated the concept of true self and false self.

refers to a person’s authentic self, where their feelings, desires, and behaviors are genuine and aligned with their core identity. The true self develops when an individual feels safe, supported, and accepted, especially during early childhood, allowing for the free expression of emotions and needs without fear of judgment or rejection.

refers to a facade or persona that an individual presents to the world in order to gain acceptance, avoid rejection, or meet societal or parental expectations. This false self develops when a person feels unable to express their true feelings or needs due to external pressure, leading them to suppress their authentic self and adopt behaviors that conform to others’ expectations.

rooted in the idea that individuals are not merely passive recipients of external influences but are active, goal-directed participants in shaping their own lives.

refers to the idea that individuals are forward-looking and take initiative to shape their future rather than merely reacting to their environment.

highlights the individual’s capacity for agency—the ability to make independent choices and exert control over one’s life. In this view, the self is seen as an active agent, capable of influencing outcomes through intentional actions.

He defined human agency as the ability to intentionally influence one’s functioning and the course of events through four components: intentionality, forethought, self-reactiveness, and self-reflectiveness.

Individuals form intentions and plans to guide their actions.

They set goals and visualize future outcomes.

They regulate and manage their behavior to achieve their goals.

They reflect on their experiences, evaluate their progress, and modify their actions as necessary.

THE PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY OF THE SELF

Gige me the Parts of Personality

From birth to the end of the first year, the mouth becomes the part of the body through which gratification is secured

From the age of 2 to 3 years, the child derives the feelings of pleasure or pain from defecating. It covers the toilet-training period.

From the age of 3 to 6 years, the child gets curious about his/her genitals and becomes attached to the parent of the opposite sex.

From the age of 10 to 12 years, sexual motivations presumably recede in importance as the child becomes preoccupied with developing skills and other activities

After puberty, the deepest feelings of pleasure presumably come from heterosexual relations

THE PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGES OF SELF DEVELOPMENT

was primarily concerned with how both psychological and social factors affect the development of individuals.

This theory emphasizes the role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in fostering a sense of agency.