Self-Concept: Examining Collective, Relational, Individual Identity

This essay delves into the concept of self-identity, particularly focusing on the interplay between collective, relational, and individual selves. It uses the observation of an architect's Facebook activities to analyze how these different facets of self are portrayed and perceived. The essay references social identity theory, highlighting how individuals categorize themselves and others based on group affiliations. It further discusses the limitations of defining self-identity solely based on social media presence, suggesting that individuals often curate a specific image. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of personal observation over social media analysis in understanding an individual's true self, advocating for a more nuanced approach to assessing collective, relational, and individual identities. Desklib provides access to this and other student-contributed assignments for enhanced learning.

Running head: SELF-CONCEPT 1
Self-concept
Student by (Name)
Institution

SELF-CONCEPT 2
Self-concept
Concepts
The concept of self-identity plays a major role in peoples ‘day to day functions. The idea
of identity is believed to be the foundation in which an individual’s daily life is anchored. Self-
identity gives an individual the path to follow and a sense of belonging by being in a given social
group. The hypothesis of social identity dons that one’s identity is determined by the social
group to which the individuals belongs (Hattie, 2014). The concept of social identity claims that
any individual belonging to ascertain social group will always think the same way as the
community and perceives thing just like the group. As a result of the social group theory, people
categorize themselves about the group they belong to and other people as outsiders as they
belong to another group.
This hypothesis of categorization is grounded in a process known as self-categorization.
The theory suggests that the core factor of categorization is the behavior which one adopts as a
result of seeing things in the groups perspective. However, other scholars have developed and
proposed a new idea of self-identity (Strauss, 2017). These scholars claim that self-identity is
composed of three basic elements that are the collectives self which is defined by self-
categorization, individual self which is attained by the unique qualities of an individual that
differentiates the individual from the group and the relational self which is defined individual
relationship others (Triandis, 1999).
Action

SELF-CONCEPT 3
To come up with a review based on individual or collective identity, I have organized
my action to capture the activities of my best friend’s architect activities by observing his
Facebook account. My friend has 5000 friends on Facebook who likes and follow all of his
posts. This architect friend posts pictures of houses which he designs and unlocks for people who
would like to see the house plan. Through this activity, I came to discover his collective,
individual self and relational self (Sedikides & Brewer, 2015). Various posts on the
architecture’s page attract likes from people of all ages and gender. Based on the analysis of his
Facebook activities, he can be classified as relatable to his followers leading to a high number of
followers who like and share his posts. My friend also has a personal account where he posts are
personal, family and group pics which attracts likes and comments as well. As a result of this,
this individual can be classified as a collective and relational individual.
Reflection
In the above action, the architect uses his collective and relational self through sharing
the house plans and group photos. Through the architect’s activities, this individual categorizes
himself as a good architect who provides house plans admirable to every one of his follower.
Apart from the collective-self portrayed through the posting of the house designs, the
architecture can be defined as relational based on activities in his account where he posts group
photographs (Brewer & Pickett, 2014). However, the individual can be defined as individual self
since he opens his house plans at a fee. This suggests that one’s self-identity cannot be defined
based on ideas portrayed in social media as people only allow the ideas they want to be seen and
hide their true self (Ellemers, Spears & Doosje, 2002). In conclusion, it is best to define an

SELF-CONCEPT 4
individual as collective, relational or individual through personal observation but not social
media.
References
Brewer, M. B., & Pickett, C. L. (2014). The social self and group identification. The social self:
Cognitive, interpersonal and intergroup perspectives, 4, 255.
Hattie, J. (2014). Self-concept. Psychology Press.
Sedikides, C., & Brewer, M. B. (Eds.). (2015). Individual self, relational self, collective self.
Psychology Press.
Strauss, A. L. (2017). Mirrors and masks: The search for identity. Routledge.
Triandis, H. C. (1999). Cross‐cultural Psychology. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 2(1),
127-143.
Ellemers, N., Spears, R., & Doosje, B. (2002). Self and social identity. Annual review of
psychology, 53(1), 161-186.