Human Behavior > Man as a Self-Aware Being
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Man as a Self-Aware BeingMan as a Self-Aware Being
The Human Functioning Components, as well as the human values and attitudes, do not act as separate factors or at random. They constitute an integrated whole. The individual human being, as a holistic functioning unit, perceives this in its fullest sense; it is I who think, I who feel, I who feel the pain.
Therefore the self and self-function can be said to be the function that integrates the elements of functioning. The self and self-function are the guideposts for every thought, emotion, free choice and action. In other words: we think, feel, will and act in accordance with ourselves. From this early age onward identification features as a most significant ingredient in the formation of our identities (parents, teachers, ministers, sport heroes, film stars, fashion models, etc.). The self is an element of human functioning that integrates our existence in a consciously meaningful totality. It is the wellspring of our self-awareness, the point from which we experience ourselves as well as the world and from which our behavior and actions are directed. The Self as Object of Observation/Evaluation While the self is an element of human functioning through which we experience our behaviour holistically our self-concept is a specific conceptualising of the self. It is a consciously-defined evaluation of ourselves that we, by virtue of self-knowledge, build up. Consequently it is something that is established through cogitation (consciously or subconsciously) and it is made possible by the ability of the human mind to project topics (itself included). Self-concept is a complex and dynamic system of convictions that the individual has about him or herself. We should especially take note of the fact that self-concept is not equal to self. It is merely a picture of the self -- one that is subjectively-coloured and therefore often distorted. When the self-concept is analysed, it becomes clear that several perspectives on the self exist. In the first place the individual has a cognitive perspective on his or her full identity. With regard to this we can distinguish a variety of different self-images, namely the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and religious self-images. Nonetheless, the self-concept is not simply a conglomeration of isolated concepts of the self. It comprises a structured whole. In this structured entirety some aspects are more centrally placed than others. The effect of a particular self-image in the life of the individual will depend on how centrally it is positioned in the construct of his or her self-concept as a whole. As has been indicated in earlier paragraphs, man is to a large extent an entity that is focussed on the future. This, together with the inclination of the individual to compare him-/herself with others result in everyone of us having a conative perspective on our full identity. This ideal self often takes the form of daydreams (with children) and is usually composed from various sources. As such it is frequently over-idealized and unrealistic. The individual is normally aware of the fact that this is a product of the imagination and that he or she would not be able to tailor reality to fit it. This notwithstanding, he or she chooses certain attributes of the imagined ideal self and poses them as personal ambitions to be pursued. Such a situation may, on the one hand, serve as an abnormal motivating factor. On the other, it can result in a lowered self-value and even loathing of the self. Interwoven into this whole notion is also the individual's perspective on what he or she ought to be (moral identity). Direction is given to the behavior of every person by way of an implicit set of regulations or standards with which he or she feels capable to comply. The feelings generated by observed differences between the actual and moral (self-mortification, guilt feelings, a sense of inferiority) can determine our behaviour in two ways. On the one hand they can act as strong motivating forces. On the other they can lower the self-value of the individual -- which may in its turn give rise to a variety of negative behaviour patterns. Thirdly, every individual has an evaluative and emotive perspective on his or her exact identity. When we take note of the fact that emotions result from the evaluation of a situation we can see why self-value occurs primarily presents itself as an emotion. The self-value with which the individual credits him or herself on an ongoing basis nonetheless is not composed of solitary or isolated impressions. The mind creates an underlying comprehensive idea out of various impressions concerning the same topic. These various impressions are processed into a generally-positive or generally-negative orientation towards the self. The above-mentioned comprehensive idea of the value of the self impacts on the conduct of the individual, especially on the subconscious level. The self-value of the individual as motivating factor in his or her behavior is a universal phenomenon and it plays a dominant role in the motivation-system of the individual. The Relationship between Self-Concept and Behavior It is essential to note that the individual's actions are always in accordance with his or her self-concept (the subjective observation of the self). The self-concept has an extensive effect on the behavior of the individual and functions as a key determinant of human behavior. The self-concept of the individual has a direct effect on the realisation of his or her life, especially as it is expressed in his or her interpersonal relationships. The individual's self-concept culminates in a directive force and a definitive factor in human behavior. Any therapy directed at a change in the lifestyle will accordingly have to take this aspect of human functioning into account. Dr Neil Whitehouse © 2004 – 2009. All rights reserved
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