SELF CONCEPT PAPER

I have attached instruction for this assignment.
I will answer few questions roughly so you have idea whats to write on.

1) Answer the question “Who are you?” by listing and discussing traits and characteristics that describe
you.

26 years old south asian female

Consider the following:
a) Physical characteristics,
b) Social traits,
c) Social roles
, d) Defining interests,
e) Talents you possess or
lack,
f) Your beliefsystems
HINDU FAMILY

2) How does your self-esteem influence yourself-concept?
3) How do significant others influence yourself-concept?
4) How does culture influence yourself-concept?
5) How does your self-concept influence your communication with others?
6) How might your self-concept influence your future communication and behavior?

ANSWER

The Self-Concept Paper

1) Answer the question “Who are you?” by listing and discussing traits and characteristics that describe you. Consider the following: a) Physical characteristics, b) Social traits, c) Social roles, d) Defining interests, e) Talents you possess or lack, f) Your belief systems

I am a 26-year-old South Asian female with average height and body size. I am relatively fit and determined to keep it so for the longest possible time. I respect other people and hold them in high regard. I have been taught since my childhood that I should relate respectfully with people even if they come from various social backgrounds. I believe that everyone in my circles has the right to hold various views and cultures. Mine is to ensure that I become sensitive to their social construct and avoid things that might cause conflict.

My social roles are defined mostly by my culture thus I tend to lean more towards roles like family building, compassion, and love. My social roles discourage me from confrontation and extremely physical activities. Being a millennial, I also believe that some of the traditional social roles are not as effective to my generation hence I should do more activities that bring my fulfillment.

I am interested in defining a new society where women have the same rights as men and are provided with opportunities to progress. While the male and female genders might possess different unique abilities and strengths, it should be uniformly established that when given equal chances both can prosper and tap into the neglected resources. I am interested in ensuring my society is just and fair to all who may feel disadvantaged by the inconvenient status quo.

Public speaking and the articulation of ideas is an important talent that I possess. I might appear introverted to those who have not shared quality time with me or even to those that might judge based on my public demeanor. Inside me is a desire to share vital opinions on important social issues and educate people on their opportunities and rights and how they may claim them should they wish.

My Hindu religious beliefs form the foundation of my belief system. I hold in high regard the value of truth and its importance to our lives. I believe that nothing can change the truth and that it is my obligation to stand for truth always and encourage those who share a similar opinion. There are supernatural authorities that appeal to our greatest morals and reward those that fight for truth justice and reality in society. Those who do not stand for justice and truth are bound to face dire consequences for their actions.

2) How does your self-esteem influence your self-concept?

I am a believer in my abilities and over social construct. I often have total confidence in the belief system and the principles that I stand for. I hold in high regard the special abilities that I have been created with to impact society. I value my position on justice and truth and often get at odds with some people for my stern positions. While some may view those who stand for the truth regardless of the situation as combative or confrontational, I believe that society has embraced the culture of sugarcoating so much that those who would rather face issues directly are not held in high regard. Regardless of occasional pushback from those who would rather not face reality, I often press on because of the confidence that I place in my ability to make a correct judgment (Rosenberg, 2017).

Most people grapple with the concept of approval and acceptance. This sometimes gets in the way of one’s self-esteem of self-concept. The level of confidence that I have for my perspectives often limits me from constantly seeking approval from, other people. However, sometimes constant disapproval can get into my self-esteem and influence how I make my judgments. Nevertheless, I believe that the feelings of my acquaintances matter and that is why I care about them. I believe in helping those that I love and often sacrifice my comfort for their well-being. I am not so good with offering my affection and attention to strangers even though I believe they also deserve to live in happiness.

3) How do significant others influence yourself-concept?

My parents, friends, family, and teachers have the most significant influence on my self-concept. Since the first people I interacted with while growing were my parents and family, I have learned that their opinion of me has constantly ringed in my mind even in adulthood. I find it easy to believe that my behavior has been shaped by my parents and the level of regard that I hold towards each action that I make greatly has a bearing on their opinions. For instance, While I believe I have a complex personality that incorporates both introvert and extrovert traits, my parent’s perspective of me is that I am an introvert and thus I try so much to act within that characterization.

I would like to say to myself that I do not care about feedback from people. I constantly remind my peers that public feedback is not vital to my self-concept. However, back in my mind, sometimes I deeply care about feedback and how other people define me. I am constantly curious to know how my opinions poll among my peers. I need this to know if I am out of touch or if I am respected as much as I wish. I have lived in a more balanced environment where praise and criticism come almost in equal measure. I have therefore learned to filter what I believe is good for me and ignore what might hurt my self-concept (Cicero, 2020).

4) How does culture influence your self-concept?

Hindus have very particular beliefs that guide society and the decisions that we make in it. My culture acts as an unspoken guardrail on my behavior and progress. I come from a relatively conservative culture that is deeply influenced by Hindu principles. These principles constantly remind me of my position in society and my progress in matters of behavior. My culture values humility, therefore I tend to judge my actions in light of their conformation to humility. Whenever I take actions that are not conflicting with principles of humility, I tend to judge myself harshly and demean my self-concept.

5) How does your self-concept influence your communication with others?

My self-concept often emerges in my communication both oral and written. My communication often starts with intrapersonal communication. I begin every conversation by first speaking to myself and weighing whether what I intend to say will make meaning or not. I judge my thoughts and filter those that I think should be shared with other people. Thoughts that seem respectable and valuable to me pass the test and are shared with other people. Every reaction that I consider positive and approved is shared. The thoughts that I deem not befitting my self-concept are thwarted and never shared with anyone.

The filter by which I judge information that I think I should share might differ from what another person might see. For instance, I believe that private information should never be shared and that is why I find it hard to share even information as simple as my travel plans because I don’t think people deserve to know that information. On the other hand, I find it easy to share public information on social issues that affect other people even if they do not affect me. I do not believe that I should suffer in silence and will always voice my concerns. My ability to share information in these two scenarios is affected by my self-concept and I constantly feel justified in both.

6) How might your self-concept influence your future communication and behavior?

My perspective of my behavior is a major factor in a dynamic process like communication. I believe that modes of communication in the future might change. I also consider that my social construct and self-concept is not permanent concept hence as they change them my communication and behavior will change with them. With more experience, access to more information, and interaction with people from diverse characters, my mode of communication will and behavior will change. My expectations, doubts, fears, and hopes might change in the future (Cicero, 2020). These are the concepts that define my self-concept. A variation in these factors will have an impact on my communication and behavior.  Criticisms and praises might be different in the future. Criticism and praise influence my self-concept and therefore my behavior and communication might follow the same concept. For instance, if my society appreciates more direct talk of truth in the future, my self-concept on direct truth might change hence giving me more confidence to be a straight shooter with speech.

References

Cicero, D. C. (2020). Measurement invariance of the self-concept clarity scale across race and     sex. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 42, 296-305.

Rosenberg, M. (2017). The self-concept: Social product and social force. In Social            psychology (pp. 593-624). Routledge.