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Related Concept Videos

Self Within Cultural Contexts01:30

Self Within Cultural Contexts

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Cultural frameworks for understanding the self are often categorized into two broad orientations: individualism and collectivism. These paradigms influence how people define themselves, relate to others, and interpret their social worlds. Each orientation offers distinct perspectives on autonomy, responsibility, and the role of the individual within a community.Individualistic CulturesIn individualistic cultures like North America and Western Europe, identity is understood as autonomous and...
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Deindividuation is a form of social influence on an individual’s behavior such that the individual engages in unusual or non-normal behavior while in a group setting. Why? Because in these group settings, the individual no longer sees themselves as an individual anymore, disinhibiting their behavior and personal restraint.
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Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other01:20

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According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
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Introspection, long upheld as a reliable route to self-knowledge, involves examining one's thoughts, emotions, and mental processes. It underpins many psychological practices, from mindfulness meditation to psychotherapy and self-help strategies. However, empirical evidence challenges the accuracy of introspection as a means of understanding oneself.Limitations of Introspective InsightSeminal work by Nisbett and Wilson demonstrated that individuals are frequently unaware of the true causes...
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Personal Identity01:25

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Personal identity is the deeply felt sense of self that individuals cultivate over time, intricately woven from intrinsic qualities they consider essential to their existence—qualities such as morality, intelligence, and friendliness. These attributes serve as vital internal benchmarks, guiding individuals in evaluating whether their actions resonate with their true selves.When personal identity takes center stage in one's life, individuals often emphasize their distinctiveness,...
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According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 14, 2026

Virtual Hand with Ambiguous Movement between the Self and Other Origin: Sense of Ownership and 'Other-Produced' Agency
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Individualization Without Internalization.

Ludger van Dijk1,2

  • 1Philosophy Group, Department of Communication, Philosophy, Technology and Education, Wageningen University & Research.

Cognitive Science
|October 24, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The self is not an internal state but a relational experience developed through interaction with the world. Understanding the self requires studying external conditions, not just internal mental processes.

Keywords:
AffordancesEcological psychologyMeadOthersPracticesSelfSkill

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychology
  • Philosophy

Background:

  • Embodied cognitive science challenges traditional views of the self as solely an internal mental construct.
  • The concept of the self is often explained through internalizing shared experiences, but this view is increasingly questioned.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a relational approach to understanding the development of the self.
  • To integrate ecological thinking, practice theory, and Meadian considerations to explain selfhood.

Main Methods:

  • The paper develops a theoretical framework based on relational and ecological perspectives.
  • It examines how individuals engage with practices and their environment to form a sense of self.
  • Measures are not explicitly detailed, focusing on a conceptual development.

Main Results:

  • The self emerges from a continuous, meaningful experience of the world and its action possibilities.
  • Practices, as intergenerational processes, shape individuals while being shaped by them.
  • Selfhood develops through learning to skillfully engage with communal organizations and experiencing their responsiveness.

Conclusions:

  • The self is a reciprocal relation between communal practices and individual skilled activities across different timescales.
  • Experiencing the self involves recognizing this reciprocal relation, even in internal thought.
  • Psychology should shift focus from internal mental states to the external, worldly conditions that constitute the self.