Perception And Self Concept Information

Paper 1: Perception and Self Concept
Significant others are people we look to for self-concept information. In other words, the perceived judgments of those who are important to us are greatly valued. They influence how we view ourselves. Some of my significant others are my husband, mother, step siblings, half siblings, biological brother, father, mother-in-law, and my children.
My husband is kind even when I am being a complete jerk. He never sees me as the jerk that I feel I am being. His opinion of me influences me to be kinder.
From the time I was in my early 20’s to the present, my mother has often come and asked for my advice about various issues and concerns. The value she places in my opinions encourage me to have a voice in matters I feel are important.
I was adopted by my father when I was 8. My step brothers and sisters did not recognize me as a sibling and in many ways were cruel and unkind. They negatively influenced my self-concept. I felt that I had no place in my family. Though this was many years ago, I still have moments of feeling that I do not belong because of this.
In contrast, when those step brothers and sisters left home to live with their mothers, my half-siblings and biological brother were able to show me how much I was loved. I found myself becoming more willing to engage in a familial relationship with them. This did not take away the negative self-concept entirely. Instead, it helped to improve my concept of belonging, which in turn influenced me to be a better sister.
My father received the brunt of my negativity. I began to be cruel and unkind to my father because I blamed him for the behavior of his children. He tolerated my ugliness with grace for the most part. I would be quick t...

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...ns can ruin lives. My cousin was a sophomore in high school when she found out she was pregnant. The father did not want anything to do with the baby and encouraged her to have an abortion. Her mother did not want anything to do with the shame of having a daughter pregnant out of wedlock and in high-school. In her mother’s eyes, having this baby would ruin my cousin’s future. My cousin had very little say in the matter. Thinking she was doing what was best, my cousin’s mother drove her to an abortion clinic out of state and the baby was aborted. Never did she consider the psychological trauma this would inflict on her daughter. My cousin spiraled out of control. Drugs became her solace. Today she is in prison with few prospects ahead. Abortion was the catalyst that ruined her life. Friends, medical personnel, and family helped to shape and change my standpoint.