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Self-
perceptions influence, among other things, how we think about the world, our social
relationships, health and lifestyle choices, community engagement, political actions, and
ultimately our own and other people's well-being.
• Social scientists have long understood that people in different parts of the world see
themselves in different ways, but research has often been driven by a rather blackand-white
— and some would say stereotypical — view of what the differences are.
• Culture matters to the extent that it is normal for different experiences to be felt by the
individuals in a given society. It is worth noting here that the perspectives in cultural matters
usually provide a new insight into the psychological processes.
• The experiences we go through in life are facilitated by the culture we live in, because
culture provides or is the environment which allows all these experiences to take place
(Warder, 1996).
• culture has such a greater influence on an individual’s life contributing majorly to the self
concept of an individual. The influence might either be negative or positive depending on
the type of culture that one has been brought up in.
• It is important that individuals study and appreciate their culture and its contribution in
shaping their individual personalities.
PSYCHODYNAMIC THEORY
A theory with Sigmund Freud as the main proponent with his other followers the like of Jung,
Adler, Horney among others. Freud emphasizes that an individual’s behavior and feelings are
influenced by his unconscious motives. According to Wilson (2002), the unconscious mind
comprises mental processes that are inaccessible to consciousness but that influence
judgments, feelings, or behavior. Famously illustrated like an iceberg, Freud believes that the
most important part of the mind or the self of an individual is that part that is invisible but
forms the biggest chunk or humongous in size. Additionally, Freud put significance on childhood
experiences from birth until age of seven which has crucial impact on the individual’s
personality.
BEHAVIORIST THEORY
Social Cognitive Theory was promoted by Albert Bandura, he believes that learning occurs in a
social context with a dynamic and reciprocal interaction of the person, environment, and
behavior. Among the unique feature of the theory is its emphasis on social influence and its
corresponding external and internal social reinforcement. The theory recognizes the importance
of past experiences that influences reinforcements, expectations, and expectancies. These are
factors that contributes to the behavior of the person. This theory believes that the self or an