The Self In The Social World

The Self in the Social World

This assignment allows you to explore the effects of social influences on personal development. Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper in which you examine the concept of the self. Address the following: · Identify who was in the radius of significant others that shaped your development through your toddler, child, and adolescent years. · Identify verbal messages you recall that suggested situational or dispositional attributions about you. · Describe how you developed your current attitudes toward authority, competitors, subordinates, the opposite sex, or another generation. · Explore the effects your social world has had on your developing professional identity. Cite at least 2 scholarly references.

Please have the heading The Self in the Social World and the running head.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of the self is profoundly influenced by social interactions and the surrounding social environment, particularly during critical stages of childhood and adolescence. My personal journey toward understanding myself has been deeply shaped by the social influences of my family, especially my mother, who played a pivotal role in my formative years. These influences have contributed significantly to my self-esteem and the way I perceive myself within various social contexts.

During my toddler, childhood, and adolescent years, my mother was the primary significant other whose presence and interactions contributed to my social development. She was the main figure who shaped my perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes concerning myself and others. My mother’s constant involvement, emotional support, and behavioral modeling provided me with a framework for understanding my place in the social world. Her responses to my achievements or failures served as the foundational messages that shaped my self-concept. For instance, her praise or criticism often communicated expectations and standards that I internalized early on.

Reflecting on verbal messages from my mother, I recall repeated expressions that suggested certain attributions about my abilities and characteristics. She often emphasized my efforts over inherent traits, encouraging me to believe that success was a result of hard work rather than innate talent. However, there were also messages that subtly indicated dispositional attributions about my self-worth, such as statements implying that my value was linked to external achievements or social approval. These messages contributed to my low self-esteem, as I often perceived myself as lacking in confidence when faced with challenges. Such messages created an internal dialogue that influenced my attitudes toward authority figures, peers, and myself.

My attitudes towards authority, competitors, and other social roles have been significantly shaped by these early social interactions. Due to my experiences of criticism and low self-esteem, I tend to view authority figures with a mixture of apprehension and skepticism. I often perceive authority as demanding and, at times, threatening, which stems from my mother’s overbearing approach to discipline and her high expectations. Conversely, my attitude toward competitors and peers has been marked by a sense of inadequacy, leading me to be hesitant in asserting myself or pursuing opportunities that could highlight my perceived shortcomings.

Regarding my attitudes towards gender roles and other generations, my social environment—primarily shaped by my family and cultural background—has influenced my perceptions. I developed certain stereotypes and expectations about men and women, often influenced by the gender norms presented in my upbringing. These attitudes have evolved as I gained more social exposure and personal confidence, but the early influences still echo in my perceptions and behaviors to some extent.

My social world has also impacted my developing professional identity. Growing up with low self-esteem and ongoing external criticisms made me hesitant to take on leadership roles or seek recognition professionally. I often doubted my abilities and feared failure, which constrained my career development. However, over time, through social interactions in educational and work settings, I have begun to challenge these perceptions. Positive feedback from mentors and colleagues has helped me develop a somewhat more confident professional identity, though I continue to contend with residual doubts rooted in early social influences.

In conclusion, the social influences within my environment—primarily my mother—have played a crucial role in shaping my self-concept, attitudes, and professional identity. The verbal messages I received and the behaviors I observed contributed to my low self-esteem and perceptions of authority and competence. Recognizing these influences is the first step toward fostering a healthier and more positive sense of self, allowing me to develop greater confidence and resilience in social and professional settings.

References

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• Higgins, E. T. (2018). Self-discrepancy theory and social influence. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 45, 31-66.
• Major, B. & Schmader, T. (2018). Social identity and self-esteem. In The Social Psychology of Identity and the Self, 2nd Ed., pp. 122-144.
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• Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2020). The narcissism epidemic: Living in the age of entitlement. Atria Books.
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