Dimensionality of the Self
We are what we are right now is not just because of a single factor. We are
developed by many factors…
Some people believe that the Self or Identity can be more accurately depicted using a
single factor or aspect. For example, we often hear people ask another to describe a
particular person using a number of words. Can we really describe someone using only
a few words?
Activity: You are now being asked to describe a particular person using only one word
(e.g., Your Best Friend), how will you describe him/her? Please use the comment box
for your answers.
My Best Friend is: -----------------
To describe, most people would use the physical appearance of the friend he is
describing.
Physical Appearance – Refers to how we physically present our self to other people.
Though we can consider that the physical appearance is just a surface description that
we can use to describe a person, this dimension of the Self tends to be very critical for
some practical purposes (e.g., easy recall, creating an impression, making a judgement,
etc. ).
'Our Self cannot be singly represented by a certain trait because our Self/Identity
is composed of multidimensional aspects and that we are a PRODUCT of
multidimensional FACTORS.'
Social Factor of the Self
Refers to the influences of significant people in a person’s life. This particularly includes
the social groups where an individual identifies oneself. Social factors are strong
foundations of one’s being. The characteristics that we acquired from the influences of
the social groups where we interact with during the growing up years are integrated to
form our identity or our uniqueness and similarities with others.
Family
Peer Groups
Organizations
And other significant people in a person’s life (e.g., teacher, role-model, relatives,
etc.)
We are what we are right now is not just because of a single factor. We are
developed by many factors…
Some people believe that the Self or Identity can be more accurately depicted using a
single factor or aspect. For example, we often hear people ask another to describe a
particular person using a number of words. Can we really describe someone using only
a few words?
Activity: You are now being asked to describe a particular person using only one word
(e.g., Your Best Friend), how will you describe him/her? Please use the comment box
for your answers.
My Best Friend is: -----------------
To describe, most people would use the physical appearance of the friend he is
describing.
Physical Appearance – Refers to how we physically present our self to other people.
Though we can consider that the physical appearance is just a surface description that
we can use to describe a person, this dimension of the Self tends to be very critical for
some practical purposes (e.g., easy recall, creating an impression, making a judgement,
etc. ).
'Our Self cannot be singly represented by a certain trait because our Self/Identity
is composed of multidimensional aspects and that we are a PRODUCT of
multidimensional FACTORS.'
Social Factor of the Self
Refers to the influences of significant people in a person’s life. This particularly includes
the social groups where an individual identifies oneself. Social factors are strong
foundations of one’s being. The characteristics that we acquired from the influences of
the social groups where we interact with during the growing up years are integrated to
form our identity or our uniqueness and similarities with others.
Family
Peer Groups
Organizations
And other significant people in a person’s life (e.g., teacher, role-model, relatives,
etc.)
