SELF IDENTITY

Self-identity refers to how an individual perceives himself or herself or becomes aware of

himself or herself, taking into consideration his or her physical, psychological, social,
emotional and moral abilities, including his or her strengths and weaknesses. In other words,
self-identity refers to the way an individual sees, understands, knows and feels about himself
or herself, differently from all other people.
Self is the whole being of the individual taking into account his or her psychological nature
and abilities. Self is the total personality of a person which distinguishes him or her from all
other people. It includes the physiological, psychological, intellectual and emotional nature of
a person as well as the abilities he or she is endowed with.
Every human being possesses some attributes which distinguish him or her from all others.
These attributes which can be grouped under different
abilities are:
Intellectual Abilities
Individuals differ in their ability to reason, analyse issues and solve problems.
These abilities involve the use of the mind. Therefore, individuals with more developed minds
are more likely to reason, analyse issues, make logical deductions and solve complex problems
better than those with less developed minds.
Manipulative Abilities
These include the ability to create, invent, produce and perform activities.
These abilities involve the use of the hands, legs and other parts of the body.
One's ability to produce, invent or create, depends on how skilful the person is in the use of his
or her hands, legs and other parts of the body.
Emotional Abilities
Emotional abilities include being able to express love, sympathy, kindness, envy and making
judgements. These abilities involve the use of the heart or emotions. The expression of these
abilities shows the behaviour of the person, when he or she is faced with a problem or a pleasant
situation.
TYPES OF SELF
Self which expresses who you are and what you are comes in different forms including:
Real self: This refers to the true self of a person or the type of person someone is at all times
when he or she is not trying to impress anyone.
Other self: This is the type of person that someone wants to carve for himself or herself or the
person that someone hopes to be.
Real Other: This is the perceptions or opinions of others about you as an individual. Other
people's opinions about you could be positive or negative.
Ideal self: This is the person whose behaviour is influenced by people around. Ideal other self
is the person whose behaviour is determined by other people around him or her.
IMPORTANCE OF SELF-IDENTITY
Every individual should be able to understand who he or she is and what he or She is capable
of doing. It is, therefore, imperative that an individual is able to identify himself or herself.
Self-identity is important for the following reasons:
Identification and development of capabilities: Every individual is endowed with certain
capabilities. These capabilities can be realised and developed only when the individual
becomes aware of himself or realises his strengths and weaknesses
Social acceptance: Self-identity enables the individual to gain social acceptance. If an
individual is able to know himself well, he will be able to pursue his ambitions and will be
fully accepted as a member of the society.
Planning and decision making: It enables the individual to plan well and take meaningful
decisions. It is believed that when one is able to realise what one is capable of doing, he or she
will also be able to plan his or her activities well and take meaningful decisions. This will then
guide the individual to make good choices in life.
Good inter-personal relationships: Self-identity enables the individual to interact well with
other people. When individuals realise their strengths and weaknesses, they will also
understand other people's strengths and weaknesses. This helps to develop healthy relationships
with others in the society.
Identification of weaknesses: A person who knows himself or herself is aware of what he or
she can do and cannot do. Knowing your limitations helps you to strategise to overcome them,
so that your progress is not impeded.
Efficiency and high productivity: Self-identity also helps to promote efficiency at workplaces.
If an individual is able to identify his capabilities, he will be able to know the area of work in
which he can perform better and well. Therefore, when work is assigned in his area of
competence, he will be able to perform it to everyone's satisfaction. This will then promote
efficiency, which will eventually lead to high productivity.

WAYS OF DEVELOPING ONE'S CAPABILITIES

The individual, no matter his or her nature, possesses some inherent capabilities. These
capabilities should be identified and harnessed to benefit the individual and the larger society.
These are developed through the following ways;
Education: Capabilities can be realised through education. The individual is exposed to many
activities such as washing, cooking, cleaning and school activities such as reading, writing,
drawing, running, singing and dancing. These activities enable people to realise which potential
they are endowed with. Through education, some people have become teachers, doctors, artists,
politicians, artistes and footballers.
Guidance and counselling: Guidance and counselling services provide the individual with the
opportunity to identify his strengths and weaknesses. It also avails the individual the
opportunity to realise in which area he or she is capable of performing. For example, through
counselling, students are able to select programmes of study that will enable them to realise
their capabilities.
Self-assessment: Individuals are required to have a fair evaluation of their daily, weekly and
monthly activities. This will enable them realise whether they are making progress in a
particular activity or not. Self-assessment and appraisal need to be continued for a certain
period of time, in order for the individual to be able to realise his or her capabilities.
The environment: Individuals can also explore the environment in which they find themselves
in order to identify their capabilities. When people explore their environment by trying their
hands on many activities and also observe things they come across, they are able to identify
their capabilities.
WAYS OF DEVELOPING SELF-CONFIDENCE
The following are some of the ways by which individuals can develop self-confidence.
Desire and self-determination: Any individual who will like to develop his capabilities and
self-confidence should have the will power to do so and also be determined to face all
difficulties in life. The person should not relent on his efforts but strive until he succeeds.
Risk-taking: Development of self-confidence requires that the individual be prepared to
reasonably take risk and venture into new areas of human endeavour. Individuals who take the
initiative to try their hands on new roles, jobs and areas of study are able to discover the specific
areas in which they can best perform. Also, development of self-confidence requires the
individuals to be curious.
Education and training: Education and training will equip the individual with knowledge,
skills, attitudes and values that will enable him or her to enhance his or her capabilities and
also raise his or her self-esteem. It must be noted that at school, people who aspire to become
what they want to be undergo education and training.
FACTORS WHICH HINDER THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAPABILITIES
Inferiority complex: It is a feeling of low self-worth, doubts or measuring up to standards. It
is a situation in which individuals develop the feeling that they are not capable of achieving
anything in life. With such a feeling, individuals always think of their weaknesses and so they
do not make any effort to identify their capabilities and develop them.
Lack of personal initiative and drive: Some individuals are not able to develop their
capabilities because they lack self-motivation. That is, the driving force that would enable them
take decisions concerning their lives without waiting for other individuals to tell them what to
do is lacking.
Inability to take risk: Some individuals find it difficult to develop their capabilities because
they are not able to confront problems. They are afraid of failures and disappointments. They
therefore do not have the ability to take risks and venture into new areas of human endeavour
which will enable them develop their capabilities.
Poverty/Financial problems: Money is one of the major means by which an individual can
develop his or her capabilities. Individuals with financial problems find it very difficult to
acquire their basic needs, pay school fees and meet other necessities of life. Life becomes
difficult for them and they may not be able to confront any challenge they have.
Sickness: The absence of good health can thwart the efforts of individuals in the development
of their capabilities. Individuals who suffer from diseases that seem to have no cure may not
be motivated to develop their capabilities. Diseases such as stroke, HIV/AIDS, chronic
headaches and psychological problems reduces a person's desire to develop capabilities
Lack of guidance and counselling: The desire of individuals to develop their capabilities may
be adversely affected if they are not provided the needed guidance and counselling. The
absence of guidance and counselling services may not allow individuals chart a beneficial
course as they are more likely to take wrong decisions.
Bad peer group influence: Peer groups are group of friends of the same age who interact with
one another. When these associates are bad, they make their friends dispense their skills and
abilities negatively. For example, a negative peer group may influence members into acts like
truancy, drug abuse and pre-marital sex that may make them find it difficult to develop their
capabilities.
SELF-ESTEEM
Self-esteem refers to how an individual values himself or herself. It also implies the extent to
which a person regards his or her abilities and worth.
Self-esteem is generally based on how you see your abilities and worth as a human being. Self-
esteem is realised through the following:
1. Identification and management of one's strengths and weaknesses.
2. Effective inter-personal relationships.
3. Encouragement from others.
4. Self-appraisal of one's worth.
5. Successes achieved in life.
6. Development of one's potential.
7. Opportunities to put one's capabilities in use.
The idea of self-esteem is developed throughout life. As people go through life, their successes
and failures together with their interactions with the family, school, religion, community and
the environment in general determine their level of self-esteem. People may develop low or
high self-esteem depending on some of these factors.
 High self-esteem implies having a true and positive view about yourself.
 Low self-esteem implies having a wrong and negative view about yourself.
EFFECTS OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM
See oneself as a failure: People with low self-esteem are unable to develop their potential
because they see themselves as failures. Such individuals often lack confidence and withdraw
from others.
No inner satisfaction in life: Many people with low self-esteem fail to develop capacity to
work. They therefore are unable to achieve success and satisfaction in life.
Inability to take initiative: People with low self-esteem find it difficult to take decisions on
their own.
Inability to overcome challenges: People with low self-esteem are unable to overcome their
challenges. This is because they lack the spirit of perseverance.
Problems in relationships: Low self-esteem creates problems in a person's relationship with
others. They are unable to socialise well with other people. Some marriages could breakdown
because of this.
Lack of courage: People with low self-esteem always feel inferior and lack the courage to
express their feelings and desires.
FALSE IDENTITY
They are behaviours and actions individuals put up that are not consistent with their real self
or it implies a situation where individuals pretend to be what they are not.
Psychologists describe such individuals as having personality disorders.
CHARACTERISTICS OF FALSE IDENTITY
Bragging: people with false identity exaggerate their achievements and talents. They always
expect to be recognised as superiors even though their actions show little or no achievement to
qualify them for that recognition. Some of these individuals brag about their family, work or
life in general.
Lack of appreciation: They ignore the abilities and contributions of others. They are always
fond of complaining about lack of co-operation from their friends, family members and other
relations.
Blame others for their inadequacies: They complain about almost everything and accuse
parents and leaders of not giving them enough opportunities to develop themselves.
Fear of the future: They have a lot of fears and worry about the future.
Lack of self-confidence: They lack the courage to face life's difficulties
EFFECTS OF FALSE IDENTITY
Dishonesty: People with false identity usually pretend to be what they are not. In order for
people to believe them, they fabricate stories or spread falsehood.
Stealing: People with false identity sometimes engage in stealing. This is so because such
people want to acquire material things at all costs.
Disappointment in life: People with false identity sometimes fail to fulfil their hopes or desires
in life. This is because they engage in unsustainable lifestyles. They often live beyond their
means because they want to impress others or to attract people's attention.
Rejection: People with false identity suffer rejection from friends and relatives because they
live under pretences.
MASLOW'S THEORY OF NEEDS
In 1943 a popular American sociologist and psychologist called Abraham Maslow came about
with a theory called (Maslow’s Theory of Needs) which explained the basic needs of human
beings and categorised them into lower and higher needs. According to Maslow's theory, the
lower needs are more pressing than the higher ones and must be satisfied first.
He arranged the human needs in a pyramid and hierarchical order:
1. Physiological needs
2. Safety or security needs
3. Social needs
4. Self -esteem needs
5. Self actualisation needs.
Physiological Needs: These needs, also referred to as survival needs, are the basic needs for
satisfying human beings. These include food, water, warmth, rest, good health and other needs
essential for the preservation of life. According to Maslow, human beings can aspire towards
other (higher) needs only after the physiological or survival needs have been met.
Safety or Security Needs: According to Maslow, human beings pursue safety or security needs
after their physiological needs have been attained.
Safety or security needs: it involves peace, safety from harm or danger, security, stability,
maintenance of law and order. Every human being fear for their dear life and as such their
security and safety is non negotiable.
Social Needs: Maslow's theory suggests that after people attain their physiological and safety
needs, they aspire towards social needs. Social needs (also referred to as belongingness and
love needs) involve establishing relationship with others or identifying with a group. Here,
humans strive for companionship, acceptance in a group and the experience of a sense of
belonging. Social needs of humans are usually met by family, close friends, clubs, associations
and other groups to which the individual may belong. The human quest to meet social needs
points to the fact that humans are social beings and cannot live in isolation.
Self-esteem Needs: The next level of human needs are referred to as 'self-esteem needs' in
Maslow's theory. Self-esteem needs are of two kinds. The first is self-achieved values such as
self-respect and independence while the second are values such as recognition, appreciation,
respect and praise accorded the individual by others. The individual feels confident, relevant
and useful in society when he or she attains the self-esteem needs.
Self-actualisation Needs: These are the highest order of human needs in Maslow's hierarchy.
Self-actualisation means attaining one's ultimate goal or dream in life such as becoming a
teacher, doctor, engineer or president of a country. Individuals feel fulfilled in life.

IMPORTANCE OFMASLOW'S THEORY OF NEEDS

 Realisation and development of capabilities: The theory provides an opportunity for
individuals to discover their capabilities and develop them. Everyone needs to strive
hard to attain greater heights in life. It is therefore required of the individual to first and
foremost realise his or her capabilities and develop them towards the achievement of
success in life.
 The need for hard work: The theory teaches that one needs to work hard before one
can achieve one's needs. This implies that it is through hard work that success can be
achieved.
 Planning: The theory helps the individual to understand the need to plan. The theory
helps us to understand that all needs cannot be satisfied at the same time. One need
must be satisfied before the next one. This means that one needs to adopt good planning
before one's higher needs can be met.
 Perseverance: The theory teaches the value of perseverance. The theory says that every
individual has the capacity to achieve higher needs in life. It is, therefore, relevant for
every individual to persevere so as to achieve greater heights in life.