Self-Knowledge Development from Young Adulthood to old Age

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Everyone wants to know exactly who they are and why people differ so drastically at times. There are areas and situations that can be similar and memories that can be shared, but every human is their very own individual who is shaped by so many different things; such as the outside environment and society to past, present, and future events, needs, and wants. The social world plays a significant role in how the person will interact, how it influences the person, and how will they perceive their behavior. All of this is a normal part of life and seen as acceptable to build and grow behaviors. An individual consists of three different concepts within their self. These would be self-efficacy, self-esteem, and the self-concept. These concepts interact and develop who someone is and how they are perceived in the social world. As the self becomes more defined through self-esteem, efficacy, and concept, ones insight on them selves can become much clearer. Social surroundings affect the awareness of the self, and differences in the environment such as age, health, and socioeconomic status promote specific behaviors directed by personal interest and bias (Orth, Trzesniewski, & Robins, 2010). As the self is concerned with its outside presentation, it adapts in a variety of situations (Myers, 2010). The relationship between the self and others affects self-awareness while influencing how the self responds and adapts to specific situations (Myers, 2010). Social relationships provoke an evolving definition of self as these associations continue to force self re-identification and redefinition. The self has a deeply rooted capacity for self-protection and self-preservation, and uses cognitive abilities to support and maintain stability to... ... middle of paper ... ...ts of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-concept. Every individual will depend on attributes from each of these to develop themselves not only from the past but also for their future of who exactly the person wishes to be. Having a love and respect of oneself will help in this journey of self-discovery. References Myers, D. (2010). Social Psychology (10th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill. Orth, U., Trzesniewski, K. H., & Robins, R. W. (2010). Self-esteem development from young adulthood to old age: A cohort-sequential longitudinal study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98(4), 645-658. doi: 10.1037/a0018769 Sachs-Ericsson, N., Medley, A. N., Kendall–Tackett, K., & Taylor, J. (2011). Childhood abuse and current health problems among older adults: the mediating role of self-efficacy. Psychology of Violence, 1(2), 106-120. doi: 10.1037/a0023139

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