“Who am I?” A simple, yet profound question.
Another provocative question is, “Why do I act the way I do?”
If you’ve asked yourself similar questions, you are not alone.
When we don’t know ourselves or act in ways we don’t understand or aren’t fond of, it may be a signal that change is in order. But how do we change, and what needs changing?
Einstein once reflected, “How many people are trapped in their everyday habits: part numb, part frightened, part indifferent? To have a better life, we must keep choosing how we’re living” (Cooper, 2001, p. 131).
Ignorance, fear, and indifference do not provide the impetus for gaining self-knowledge or effecting positive change.
Conversely, self-analysis leads to self-knowledge, which is the necessary first step in initiating positive change (Schaffner, 2020).
Let’s explore how self-knowledge facilitates self-improvement and provides other benefits.
Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Strengths Exercises for free. These detailed, science-based exercises will help your clients realize their unique potential and create a life that feels energizing and authentic.
This Article Contains:
- What Is Self-Knowledge in Psychology?
- Why Is Self-Knowledge Important?
- How Can Self-Knowledge Lead to Self-Mastery?
- Self-Knowledge vs Self-Awareness
- 2 Real-Life Examples of Self-Knowledge
- 6 Theories About Self-Knowledge
- Resources From PositivePsychology.com
- A Take-Home Message
- References
What Is Self-Knowledge in Psychology?
Self-knowledge in psychology is “actual genuine information one possesses about oneself” (Morin & Racy, 2021, p. 373). This includes information about our emotional state, personality traits, relationships, behavioral patterns, opinions, beliefs, values, needs, goals, preferences, and social identity (Morin & Racy, 2021).
Self-knowledge results from self-reflective and social processes (Morin & Racy, 2021).
However, self-knowledge isn’t derived solely from introspection. According to Brown (1998), there are five sources that contribute to the reservoir of self-knowledge.
1. Physical world
This category of information is limited to physical information such as height, weight, and eye color.
2. Social comparisons
This source of self-knowledge occurs when comparing ourselves with others. Subcategories include upward and downward comparisons, in which we compare ourselves with someone better off and worse off, respectively (Brown, 1998).
3. Reflected appraisals
This source of self-knowledge stems from others’ evaluations of us. The term denotes the fact that we see ourselves reflected through the eyes of others (Brown, 1998).
4. Introspection
This source of self-knowledge is derived through inward observation of thoughts, feelings, motives, and desires. Introspection is interwoven with and integrally connected to self-knowledge.
5. Self-perception
In this category of self-knowledge, we learn about ourselves through observing and examining our own behavior.
Schaffner (2020) includes two additional sources of self-knowledge:
6. CBT-style approaches
Another source of self-knowledge emanates from a rational analysis of our negative thought processes through approaches similar to and including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
7. Mindfulness techniques
Mindfulness-based techniques help us assess and enhance our emotional intelligence skills, building self-knowledge (Schaffner, 2020).
In sum, self-knowledge is obtained through a combination of the physical, social, and psychological world.
Why Is Self-Knowledge Important?
Self-knowledge is “essential for healthy functioning because knowing oneself well leads to realistic decision-making pertaining to key aspects of one’s life” (Morin & Racy, 2021, p. 374).
Indeed, “People who do not see themselves accurately are likely to bungle their lives” (Begley, 2020).
Key aspects at risk due to lack of self-knowledge include life partner choices, education and career choices, and where and how to live (Morin & Racy, 2021).
Deficits in self-knowledge lead to over-estimation of subjective strengths, which can cause lower life satisfaction and poor academic performance (Morin & Racy, 2021).
Schaffner (2020) lists five reasons self-knowledge is essential for psychological growth.
- It satisfies the desire to learn and make sense of experiences.
- It prevents discord between self-perceptions and others’ perceptions of us.
- It emancipates us from the irrational whims of our unconscious.
- It facilitates proactive responses rather than reactivity.
- It is a necessary first step for positive change.
Huseyin (2017) suggests that self-knowledge demands us to develop a balanced suspicion of our feelings.
Other benefits include having less work frustration, less insecurity and envy, and less stress about money. In addition, we gain the ability to take responsibility for our emotions and have more empathy and compassion (Huseyin, 2017).
Finally, self-knowledge helps shape our understanding of others and is used as a reference point for evaluating others (Brown, 1998).
How Can Self-Knowledge Lead to Self-Mastery?
Because self-knowledge includes honest self-assessments and other acquired information, we can use it to make positive changes and master aspects of our lives.
Self-knowledge is essential for “giving a meaningful narrative to our past, present, and future actions, a sense of continuity over time, a sense of being both unique and similar to others” (Bukowski, 2019).
Knowing ourselves enhances our ability to live coherent and fulfilling lives. In addition, it allows us to understand our basic motivations and fears, and enhances our control of our emotions (Schaffner, 2020).
Conversely, the inability to recognize our feelings leaves us vulnerable and at their mercy (Schaffner, 2020).
Stellar self-knowledge motivates us to pursue ambitious projects, relationships, and other challenges. Lack of insight can inhibit great aspirations (Begley, 2020).
Psychosocial domains ripe for change
Three domains ripe for change include blind spots, self-deception, and conflict triggers.
1. Blind spots
Blind spots are unconscious processes that “typically bias the access to and formation of self-knowledge” (Bukowski, 2019).
In this video, we learn that Brian Wagner views the world differently than most and uses his gift to help others identify their personal blind spots and overcome their self-limiting beliefs.
2. Self-deception
Baumeister (2010) describes self-deception as a kind of wishful thinking. In this state, we believe what we want to believe, bereft of rigorous justifications. Various biases serve as a vehicle for self-deception.
3. Conflict triggers
Conflict triggers are words or actions performed by another that are perceived as offensive and create conflict (Wilmot & Hocker, 2011). Taibbi (2019) suggests these triggers stem from unhealed wounds from our past.
Why more people don’t seek self-knowledge
- Exploring unknown aspects of ourselves is risky, as it may reveal information that contradicts our current self-beliefs.
- Our culture is more interested in success and advancement than introspection (Huseyin, 2017).
- A variety of closely related terms distract information seekers, forming barriers to self-knowledge (Bukowski, 2019). Terms such as self-awareness, self-concept, and self-identity dilute the field of self-knowledge.
Let’s analyze some of these terms to provide greater clarity.
Self-Knowledge vs Self-Awareness
We have discussed how self-knowledge is useful for navigating life, but how does it differ from self-awareness?
Self-knowledge refers to information about subjective tendencies, such as our emotional state, personality traits, and behavioral patterns (Morin & Racy, 2021).
Psychologists view self-awareness as a stepping stone on the path toward self-knowledge (Alicke, Zhang, & Stephenson, 2020).
Goleman (1997) states that in self-awareness, the mind investigates experiences and the corresponding emotions. This investigation can be both nonreactive and nonjudgmental.
Goleman (1997, p. 47) simplifies the concept of self-awareness by defining it as being “aware of both our mood and our thoughts about that mood.”
Some benefits of self-awareness include enhanced emotional intelligence, empathy, and listening skills (Berger, 2018).
Strong empathy and listening skills are instrumental in communication and for building robust and enriching interpersonal relationships.
In addition, self-awareness boosts critical thinking and decision making. These are skills often associated with effective leaders (Berger, 2018).
Self-Knowledge, Self-Identity, & Self-Concept
According to Sheldon Stryker, identity is “a ‘part’ of one’s self that is ‘called up’ while interacting with others” (Appelrough & Desfor-Edles, 2008, p. 478).
The number of identities associated with a person corresponds with the roles they participate in, such as child, parent, employee, friend, and spouse (Appelrough & Desfor-Edles, 2008).
Identity salience refers to how the person organizes their identities hierarchically, as not every identity has the same meaning or status (Appelrough & Desfor-Edles, 2008).
Self-concept is the image we develop about ourselves, which, contrary to self-knowledge, may or may not be reality based (Morin & Racy, 2021). Self-concept may be ascertained using assessments such as the Self-Concept Questionnaire. This tool asks 48 questions assessing domains of self, such as moral, intellectual, social, physical, educational, and temperamental.
Self-concept is developed based on beliefs about self, whereas self-knowledge is derived from various sources of information, including external evidence (Morin & Racy, 2021).
A lack of clarity, stability, and consistency of self-concept is associated with low self-esteem, chronic self-analysis, high neuroticism, low agreeableness, and low conscientiousness (Morin & Racy, 2021).
2 Real-Life Examples of Self-Knowledge
The insight self-knowledge brings can lead to a wellspring of information needed to make critical decisions and take necessary action for health and wellbeing.
Naomi Osaka
The courageous actions of tennis star Naomi Osaka demonstrate self-knowledge. Osaka has won multiple Grand Slams and is among the world’s highest paid female athletes (Kelly, 2021).
Osaka made the difficult decision to put her mental health before her career and public image by declining to participate in the 2021 French Open press conferences (Kelly, 2021).
As public fervor grew, Osaka withdrew from the tournament and was subsequently fined $15,000 and given a stern lecture on tournament code infractions (Kelly, 2021).
It appears that Osaka knew herself physically, mentally, socially, and professionally. She was forthcoming on social media about suffering from protracted bouts of depression following her first Grand Slam win in 2018 (Kelly, 2021).
She took initiative to prioritize caring for herself over her career, despite social scrutiny. Osaka is a rare example of how self-knowledge can be used to make critical, sometimes life-altering decisions.
Viktor Frankl
Viktor Frankl was a 20th-century psychiatrist and psychotherapist who, as a Holocaust survivor, emerged from horrific circumstances to create logotherapy and author numerous books (Frankl, 2006).
He was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1905 and received his MD and PhD from the University of Vienna. Frankl’s (2006) early work focused on depression and suicide.
After years of waiting, Frankl received his visa allowing emigration to the United States. However, the decision necessitated that he leave his parents, wife, and siblings behind. After contemplation, Frankl allowed the visa to lapse (Schatzman, 2011).
In 1942, Frankl was sent to the Theresienstadt concentration camp along with his family. He was the only member of his family to emerge from imprisonment (Schatzman, 2011).
Frankl’s body of work, early achievements, and life-transforming decisions signify self-knowledge proficiency and reflect his goals, values, beliefs, and social identity.
6 Theories About Self-Knowledge
Various models and theories seek to explain self-knowledge. Below are concepts explaining how self-knowledge is acquired.
1. The unmediated observation model
The unmediated observation model, most notably associated with Descartes, posits that we attain self-knowledge through our own unmediated thoughts, separate from outside input or sources. This model is typically used for comparing other philosophical models (Gertler, 2003).
2. The transparency model
The transparency model involves making up your mind and rationally reflecting on and reaching a conclusion about the state of the world.
Using this model, we gain knowledge not just about our beliefs, but about any judgment-sensitive attitude. One attraction of transparency is the intimate connection between self-knowledge and agency (Jongepier, 2021).
3. Social constructionism
Social constructionism is a way of understanding ourselves and our world through the use of language to create a shared reality (Gergen, 2009). Constructionists theorize that meaning is created in relation to others.
4. The “looking-glass self”
This model, posited by sociologist Charles Horton Cooley, asserts that our sense of self is developed through interactions with others.
In this theory, our appearance is reflected through the other person. We then make a hypothesis about their judgment of us and have a resulting emotion regarding that judgment (Appelrough & Desfor-Edles, 2008).
5. Narrative self
Narrative self is necessary for introspective reasoning and autobiographical memory reconstruction. It includes two branches of thinking:
- Paradigmatic mode, which accesses logical explanations in order to build a rational explanation of reality
- Narrative mode, which uses meaningful interpretations of ourselves to create a coherent explanation of our identity
These narratives combine the past, present, and future events into a coherent sequence (Bukowski, 2019).
6. Self-perception theory
This theory, proposed by Daryl Bem, suggests that people learn about themselves by observing behavior and making inferences (Baumeister, 2010).
Resources From PositivePsychology.com
We have an array of resources to boost self-knowledge for yourself and your clients. Below is a list of recommended courses, articles, and free worksheets from around our site.
Mindfulness X© course
This course was developed to increase mindfulness through analysis of the underlying workings of habitual thought patterns. The combined psychology, research, and practice behind mindfulness help participants better understand the workings of the mind, adding to self-knowledge.
Emotional Intelligence Masterclass©
Emotional intelligence is the ability to manage and interpret emotional encounters. Individuals with high emotional intelligence skills tend to handle everyday stress better (Gohm, Corser, & Dalsky, 2005), have meaningful and close relationships (Schutte et al., 2001), and higher levels of wellbeing (Fernandez-Berrocal, Alcaide, Extremera, & Pizarro, 2006).
Emotional intelligence provides a deep understanding of subjective emotional tendencies, adding to self-knowledge. This masterclassis an invaluable course for practitioners, as it includes high-quality material for practitioners to provide science-based training sessions.
Who Am I?
This worksheet invites clients to discover who they are by considering how others and different temporal versions of themselves might respond to questions about their identity.
For instance, clients will consider how their closest friends and family likely perceive them. They will also consider what they would communicate about their present-day identity to past and future versions of themselves.
Personal Values Worksheet
Personal values refer to the beliefs, principles, and ideas that reflect the core of each individual. They bring meaning to our actions and shape our preferences, behaviors, and decisions.
This worksheet helps clients explore what they view as meaningful and important, serving as a basis to determine how they might focus their energy and time.
Replacing Negative Self-Talk
This exercise acknowledges the role of self-talk in making sense of our lives. Participants are encouraged to reframe negative self-talk into positive self-talk, making a positive change in their daily narrative.
Track and Measure Success
Because we remember the things that went wrong better than our successes, it is useful to track wins to add to your personal success story. This worksheet helps keep track of successes, adding to the self-knowledge base.
Self-Assessment for Assertiveness Self-Discovery
One of the numerous benefits of self-knowledge is that it can help enrich assertiveness skills. This worksheet prompts participants to explore various positive aspects of themselves to bolster confidence and self-efficacy.
87 Self-Reflection Questions for Introspection
This self-reflection article provides definitions, questions, and exercises that allow us to know ourselves more holistically.
17 Strength-Finding Exercises
If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others develop their strengths, this collection contains 17 strength-finding tools for practitioners. Use them to help others better understand and harness their strengths in life-enhancing ways.
A Take-Home Message
In this blog post, we’ve discussed several benefits and justifications for gaining self-knowledge.
Self-knowledge is essential for personal growth, decision making, and accurate self-assessment. It is the opposite of ignorance and helps us make sense of our experiences.
Importantly, self-knowledge is an essential tool to help in the change process. Change is hard. It requires intentionality and courage.
We humans spend a good amount of life avoiding the pain and discomfort associated with change.
The journey to gain self-knowledge seeks to dislodge us from our comfort zone to explore aspects of ourselves generally ignored or avoided.
The question I ask myself is, “How will I feel ten years from now if I choose not to look at all aspects of myself?”
Nelson Mandela stated,
“There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
Cooper, 2001, p. xvii
Although change may be difficult, healing, creativity, resilience, and passion are forged through change.
I believe waiting underneath our self-protective layers is a hidden wholeness.
So, who are you and what are you capable of? Aren’t you curious now?
We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Strengths Exercises for free.
References
- Alicke, M., Zhang, Y., & Stephenson, N. (2020). Self-awareness and self-knowledge. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology. Retrieved June 29, 2021, from https://oxfordre.com/psychology/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.001.0001/acrefore-9780190236557-e-743
- Appelrough, S., & Desfor-Edles, L. (2008). Classical and contemporary sociological theory. Pine Forge Press.
- Baumeister, R. F. (2010). The self. In R. F. Baumeister & E. J. Finkel (Eds.), Advanced social psychology: The state of the science (pp. 143-175). Oxford University Press.
- Begley, S. (2020, May 18). How much self-knowledge is too much? Mindful. Retrieved June 9, 2021, from https://www.mindful.org/how-much-self-knowledge-is-too-much/
- Berger, B. (2018, May 22). Know thyself: Examining the benefits of self-reflection. Institute for Public Relations.Retrieved June 7, 2021, from https://instituteforpr.org/know-thyself-examining-the-benefits-of-self-reflection/
- Brown, J. D. (1998).The self.Routledge.
- Bukowski, H. (2019). Self-knowledge. In V. Zeigler-Hill & T. K. Shackelford (Eds.) Encyclopedia of personality and individual differences (pp. 61–76). Springer.
- Cooper, R. K. (2001). The other 90%. Three Rivers Press.
- Fernandez-Berrocal, P., Alcaide, R., Extremera, N., & Pizarro, D. (2006). The role of emotional intelligence in anxiety and depression among adolescents.Individual Differences Research,4, 16–27.
- Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man’s search for meaning. Beacon Press.
- Gergen, K. J. (2009). An invitation to social constructionism (2nd ed.) Sage.
- Gertler, B. (2003). Self-knowledge. In E. N. Zalta (Ed.), Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy (Spring 2020 ed.). Retrieved July 19, 2021, fromhttps://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2020/entries/self-knowledge/
- Gohm, C. L., Corser, G. C., & Dalsky, D. J. (2005). Emotional intelligence under stress: Useful, unnecessary, or irrelevant?Personality and Individual Differences,39(6), 1017–1028.
- Goleman, D. (1997). Emotional intelligence. Bantam.
- Huseyin, R. (2017, August 29). Why self-knowledge is hard to come by and what to do about it. Art of Wellbeing with Rezzan Huseyin. Retrieved May 31, 2021, from https://www.artofwellbeing.com/2017/08/29/self-knowledge/
- Jongepier, F. (2021). The value of transparent self-knowledge. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 24, 65–86.
- Kelly, J. (2021, June 1). Tennis star Naomi Osaka stood up for herself, bravely shared her mental health issues and walked away from the French Open. Forbes. Retrieved June 21, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/06/01/tennis-star-naomi-osaka-stood-up-for-herself-bravely–shared-her-mental-health-issues-and-walked-away-from-the-french-open/
- Morin, A., & Racy, F. (2021). Dynamic self-processes. In J. Rauthmann (Ed.), The handbook of personality dynamics and processes (pp. 336–386). Elsevier.
- Schaffner, A. K. (2020, May 25). What’s so great about self-knowledge? Psychology Today. Retrieved May 31, 2021, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-art-self-improvement/202005/whats-so-great-about-self-knowledge
- Schatzman, M. (2011, October 23). Obituary: Viktor Frankl. Independent. Retrieved June 22, 2021, from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/ obituary-viktor-frankl-1237506
- Schutte, N. S., Malouff, J. M., Bobik, C., Coston, T. D., Greeson, C., Jedlicka, C., … Wendorf, G. (2001). Emotional intelligence and interpersonal relations.The Journal of Social Psychology,141(4), 523–536.
- Taibbi, R. L. (2019). Healing the past in the present. Psychology Today. Retrieved July 1, 2021, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fixing-families/201907/healing-the-past-in-the-present
- Wilmot, W. W., & Hocker, J. L. (2011). Interpersonal conflict. McGraw-Hill.
FAQs
What is self-knowledge with example? ›
An example of this would be, “I am aware that I am wearing a shirt.” On another level, you have substantial self-knowledge. This refers to your deeper feelings, emotions, and values. For example, “I value loyalty in other people.” Both involve a type of self-awareness, but operate at different levels of consciousness.
What is self-knowledge theory? ›In philosophy, self-knowledge usually means one of two things: knowledge of one's particular mental states or knowledge of one's own nature. To have self-knowledge in the first of these senses is to know one's particular sensations, experiences, and propositional attitudes (beliefs, desires, and so on).
What are the 3 aspects of self-knowledge? ›The self-concept is thought to have three primary aspects: The cognitive self. The affective self. The executive self.
What are the theories of psychological self? ›Self psychology theory, which rejects Freudian ideology of the role sexual drives play in organization of the psyche, focuses on the development of empathy toward the person in treatment and the exploration of fundamental components of healthy development and growth.
What are the two types of self-knowledge? ›I claim, on the contrary, that a satisfactory account of self-knowledge must recognize at least two fundamentally different kinds of self- knowledge: an active kind through which we know our own judgments, and a pas- sive kind through which we know our sensations.
What are the 4 types of knowledge? ›He distilled knowledge into four types: Factual, Conceptual, Procedural and Metacognitive.
What is self-knowledge J Krishnamurti? ›Self-knowledge comes when you observe yourself in your relationship with your fellow students and your teachers, with all the people around you; it comes when you observe the manner of another, his gestures, the way he wears his clothes, the way he talks, his contempt or flattery and your response; it comes when you ...
What are the three theories of knowledge? ›- Identify the main theories of the sources of knowledge, including rationalism, empiricism, and the Kantian synthesis.
- Employ each theory to reconstruct the origins of a given instance of knowledge.
Psychoanalytic, humanistic, trait perspective and behaviorist theory are the four main personality theories.
What are the 8 different aspects of self? ›- Physical self. includes the description of your height, facial appearance and quality of skin, hair and description if body areas such as neck, chest, waist, legs etc.
- Intellectual self. ...
- Emotional self. ...
- Sensual self. ...
- Interactional self. ...
- Nutritional self. ...
- Contextual self. ...
- Spiritual self.
What are the six keys to self-knowledge? ›
Six key elements of self-knowledge are found in the acronym VITALS: Values, Interests, Temperament, Activities, Life Mission, and Strengths. While knowing one's "VITALS" can help a person feel freer and stronger, people constantly change and society often conflicts with one's values.
What are the major sources of self-knowledge? ›By reviewing numerous studies conducted on self, Shonman (1981 and 1984) identified three constructs as the main sources of self-knowledge: 1) self-observation, 2) social comparison, and 3) social feedback.
What are the 8 psychological perspectives? ›At this point in modern psychology, the varying viewpoints on human behavior have been split into eight different perspectives: biological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, sociocultural, evolutionary, and biopsychosocial.
What are the 5 main psychological theories? ›Psychology Perspectives
There may be several different theories within an approach, but they all share these common assumptions. The five major perspectives in psychology are biological, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive and humanistic.
William James says that self-worth is based on two elements: Our actual achievements, and our aspirations. He demonstrated this idea in an equation: Self-esteem = success/pretensions. Our self-esteem is dictated by how well we're doing in life (success) divided by how good we feel about ourselves (pretensions).
What are the 6 types of self? ›- Emotional Self-Care. Activities that help you connect, process, and reflect on a full range of emotions. ...
- Practical Self-Care. ...
- Physical Self-Care. ...
- Mental Self-Care. ...
- Social Self-Care. ...
- Spiritual Self Care.
When we are self-aware we are able to recognize our strengths and weaknesses. This knowledge helps us to set goals for ourselves. We know where we have to room to grow and that's a good thing! Our strengths help us feel confident in our ability to improve on our weaknesses.
What does the term self-knowledge mean? ›: knowledge or understanding of one's own capabilities, character, feelings, or motivations : self-understanding.
What are the 5 source of knowledge? ›- Intuition. The first method of knowing is intuition. ...
- Authority. Perhaps one of the most common methods of acquiring knowledge is through authority. ...
- Rationalism. ...
- Empiricism. ...
- The Scientific Method.
He believed in total awareness as being essential for a free mind. Human beings always learned from their past, and it was important that they looked inwards and freed themselves from self-perpetuated torment. It was also necessary that they avoided repression.
What is habit J Krishnamurti? ›
There are no good or bad habits, only habit. Habit implies a repetitive action which arises from not being aware.
Who found J Krishnamurti? ›| Jiddu Krishnamurti | |
|---|---|
| Era | 20th-century philosophy |
| Region | Eastern philosophy Indian philosophy |
| Institutions | Krishnamurti Foundation (founder) |
| Influences Besant Leadbeater Huxley | |
It is the problem of being clear about what you are saying when you say some claim or other is true. The most important theories of truth are the Correspondence Theory, the Semantic Theory, the Deflationary Theory, the Coherence Theory, and the Pragmatic Theory.
What is John Dewey's theory of knowledge? ›John Dewey was a leading proponent of the American school of thought known as pragmatism, a view that rejected the dualistic epistemology and metaphysics of modern philosophy in favor of a naturalistic approach that viewed knowledge as arising from an active adaptation of the human organism to its environment.
What is the best theory of knowledge? ›The most prominent theory is coherentism, a framework for understanding the world in terms of logical cohesion and consistency. While this theory has much to offer, you'll also wrestle with several key challenges. Not all theories of knowledge rely on internal justification.
What are the 6 main theories of behavior? ›- Psychodynamic theories. Sigmund Freud laid the foundation for psychodynamic personality theories with his proposal of the id, the ego, and the superego. ...
- Trait theories. ...
- Humanistic theories. ...
- Social cognitive theories. ...
- Biological theories. ...
- Evolutionary theories.
In describing personality, we'll go through six different personality theories: psychoanalytic theory, humanistic theory, trait theory, social-cognitive theory, biological theory, and behaviorist theory.
What is Freud's theory three parts of the self? ›Freud's personality theory (1923) saw the psyche structured into three parts (i.e., tripartite), the id, ego and superego, all developing at different stages in our lives.
What are the 8 dimensions of self-care? ›In fact, according to SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), there are eight primary dimensions to optimize an individual's overall holistic wellness: emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational, and social.
What are the 7 aspects of self? ›The Life Wheel encompasses 7 human attributes: 1) Self Aspect, 2) Behavioral Aspect, 3) Social Aspect, 4) Physical Aspect, 5) Emotional Aspect, 6) Mental Aspect and 7) Spiritual Aspect.
What are 5 examples of self-care? ›
- Eat a healthy meal.
- Engage in exercise.
- Go for a walk.
- Drink water.
- Practice good sleep hygiene (click here for more information)
- Have a cup of tea.
- Sit in the sunlight.
- Take a shower or bath.
- Meditate. Yes, meditate. ...
- Write down your key plans and priorities. One of the best ways to increase self-awareness is to write down what you want to do and track your progress. ...
- Take psychometric tests. ...
- Ask trusted friends. ...
- Get regular feedback at work.
Two types of Self are commonly considered—the Self that is the ego, also called the learned, superficial Self of mind and body, egoic creation, and the Self which is sometimes called the "True Self", the "Observing Self", or the "Witness".
What are the 9 types of psychology? ›- Type # 1. Faculty Psychology: ...
- Type # 2. Structural Psychology: ...
- Type # 3. Existential Psychology: ...
- Type # 4. Functional Psychology: ...
- Type # 5. Behaviourism: ...
- Type # 6. Gestalt Psychology: ...
- Type # 7. Hormic or Purposive Psychology: ...
- Type # 8. Psychoanalysis:
as Behavioral, Behavioral Genetics, Cognitive, Evolutionary, Neuroscience, Psychodynamic, Humanistic-Existential, and Sociocultural.
What are the 7 methods of psychology? ›- Introspection Method:
- Observation Method:
- Experimental Method:
- Clinical Method/Case History Method:
- Survey Method:
- Genetic Method:
- Testing Method:
Although there are many different approaches to learning, there are three basic types of learning theory: behaviorist, cognitive constructivist, and social constructivist.
What is an example of a theory? ›An example of a theory is Albert Einstein's general relativity theory, which describes the law of gravitation and its relationship to other natural forces. A theory occurs after individuals discover results in an experiment.
Who are the 4 main psychologists and what are their theories named? ›- Bowlby, John - Attachment Theory.
- Bruner, Jerome - cognitive development of children.
- Erikson, Erik - Theory of Psychosocial Development.
- Freud, Sigmund - psychoanalysis.
- Kohlberg, Lawrence - moral development.
- Kolb, David - experiential learning styles theory.
Carl Ransom Rogers (1902 –1987) was a psychologist who developed a theory called Unconditional Positive Regard. He believed that children learn through unconditional acceptance and understanding. Rogers' theory is based on his own experience working with children.
What is George Herbert Mead's theory of self? ›
Sociologist George Herbert Mead believed that people develop self-images through interactions with other people. He argued that the self, which is the part of a person's personality consisting of self-awareness and self-image, is a product of social experience.
What is David Hume definition of self? ›To Hume, the self is “that to which our several impressions and ideas are supposed to have a reference… If any impression gives rise to the idea of self, that impression must continue invariably the same through the whole course of our lives, since self is supposed to exist after that manner.
How do I know my self-knowledge? ›- What are my strengths?
- What are my short-term goals? Long-term goals?
- Who matters most to me? Who are my support people?
- What am I ashamed of?
- What do I like to do for fun?
- What new activities am I interested in or willing to try?
- What am I worried about?
- What are my values?
Self-knowledge is essential for personal growth, decision making, and accurate self-assessment. It is the opposite of ignorance and helps us make sense of our experiences. Importantly, self-knowledge is an essential tool to help in the change process. Change is hard.
What is self-knowledge According to Socrates? ›Socratic self-knowledge means working. on oneself, with others, to become the. sort of person who could know himself, and thus be responsible to the world, to. others, and to oneself, intellectually, mor-
What are the 12 exercises for greater self-awareness? ›- The three why's. ...
- Expand your emotional vocabulary. ...
- Practice saying 'no' to yourself. ...
- Break visceral reactions. ...
- Be accountable to your flaws. ...
- Monitor your self-talk. ...
- Improve your body language awareness. ...
- Play "Devil's Advocate."
Aristotle was right, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” Lao Tzu also said, “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” The relationship with yourself is one of the most important relationships in your life.
What are the five steps in knowing yourself? ›- Get to Know Your Personality. Understanding your own personality is the first key. ...
- Get to Know Your Core Values. ...
- Get to Know Your Body. ...
- Get to Know your Dreams. ...
- Get to Know your Likes and Dislikes.
It helps us to become better decision-makers It gives us more self-confidence — so, as a result, we communicate with clarity and intention. It allows us to understand things from multiple perspectives. It frees us from our assumptions and biases. It helps us build better relationships.