self-awareness notes.docx

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Self-awarenessa Guiding Principle of Diversity

Posted by Coordinator inCultural Diversity,Listening,Poweron May 4th, 2010

This month, Im delving into self-awarenessthe second guiding principle of diversity. The basic essence of self-awareness

is both understanding who you are as well as a willingness to engage in an on-going practice to examine the thoughts,

behaviors, and identities that make up who you are.

Self-awareness is not a destination, its a process.

Not everything about who we are and how we show up in the world is obvious to us. Without an intentional practice of self-

reflection, we can be oblivious to how we impact those around us. Our best intentions dont always create the best impacts.

People in our lives give us information about how our actions affect them. Sometimes this information is delivered via

thoughtful and insightful feedforward. [Author's note: I use the concept of "feedforward" to mean a practice of offering

information or observations in a meaningful and compassionate way that moves a person forward on their path (rather than

"feedback" which can sometimes set us back, especially if it is masked as "constructive criticism"--an oxymoron, in my

opinion).] Sometimes we get this information through other peoples rea ctions (which we may need to interpret or seek to

understand our role in co-creating) to our behaviors and attitudes. Cultural competence requires developing a practice of self-

exploration. We cultivate a curiosity about who we are, what we bring to situations, and how our behaviors co-create the

outcomes we experience.

Heres a personal example from my own life: I pride myself on being highly efficient. Its a set of skills I learned early in life

and I received a high level of external affirmation for this way of being in the world. Efficiency skills helped me in myriad

ways, including being organized and getting a lot done. Despite being aware of how much I value and strive to be efficient,

I was less aware of how this attitude and my behaviors impacted those around me. I assumed that others would find my

efficiency useful and a benefit in most every situation. Sometimes this was true, but not always.

Once I noticed that my efficiency wasnt always needed, I started to tune into the reactions of others and my own internal

clues after interactions with others. The first thing I noted was how others often felt intimidated and subsequently hesitant to

sign on for a task because they feared not living up to my efficiency standards. They were concerned, rightly so, that I would

become frustrated and impatient. This led to a second realizationthat my drive to be efficient diminished opportunities for

me to be present with myself, others, and the moment.

My self-awareness journey started with acknowledging my efficiency skills, but it didnt stop there. Rather than remain

defended and hold tight to the idea that my way was the right one, I chose to examine, question, and eventually shift my

internal drive to be efficient. I feared that by being less efficient, I would lose the approval and perceived value I

mistakenly thought efficiency earned me. By releasing this fear, I noticed an unexpected outcome: by being less efficient,

people began to value and include me for being me-instead of what I could do for them.

This process moved me from focusing on others and their perceived inefficiency to examining my behaviors, attitudes, and

biases. By turning my attention towards self, my increased internal awareness moved me to a place where I could

compassionately, and even dispassionately at times, think about others and where they might struggle or be limited by being

less than optimally organized. This process of self investigation lays the important foundation for being an effective ally.

However if we start by wanting to be an ally before weve really developed a practice of self-awareness we are doomed to act

from wanting to fix or save others (read: make them be like us)a perspective of paternalism, condescension and

dominance.

The same trap exists on an organizational level. When an organization focuses its effort outside of itself (for example: How

can we better serve our diverse customerswithout first seeking to care and serve co-workers better? How can we increase

our recruitment of womenwithout first exploring the roles and attitudes men carry in the organization? What approach

would appeal to low-income communitieswithout first exploring the embedded class assumptions in the current approach?

How can we use some new tool to work with childrenwithout first asking and understanding how we can use this tool with

our peer group of teachers?) there is the danger that organizational patterns and policies will go unexamined and

unchallenged. The focus is on them rather than uswithout an acknowledgement that us is the only part of the

equation we have any real influence over.

An all-too-common example plays out in the Diversity Flavor of the Month scenario. This is when a new diversity

program is rolled out every few months, leading to a buildup of employee cynicism. Furthermore, the group that is supposed

to benefit from the program sees the program as a check the box-type effort rather than one which requires organizational

cultural changes. The diversity program comes across more as an attempt to win recognition rather than a system-wide

commitment to inclusion. Efforts such as these lack the organizational self-awareness and reflective practice that leads to

lasting, effective change.

What are some of your personal patterns or behaviors that co-create outcomes that reinforce dominance, paternalism and

condescension? Why are these behaviors so defended within you? What would it take for you to let them go? How would

your view of yourself change if you did? I remember listening to a client express genuine confusion about why they seemed
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unable to attract or retain a diverse range of clients and employees. I gently suggested that the barrier to inclusion wasnt

about the other group at allbut rather within them. This was a perspective they clearly had not considered before. Have you?

What is Awareness?

Simply put, awareness is our capacity to notice things.We may be aware of the time oraware of a particular situation - we may notice that we are late or that someone is watching us.Being aware of such things means we have taken note of them.

This is awareness.

Read more:Definition Of Self Awareness - What Is Self Awareness

http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7XCbu9

What is Self Awareness?

Self awarenessbasically describes a situation where the light of awareness is turned onto

ourselves. While awarenessis our ability to take note; self-awarenessis our ability to take note ofourselves.

When we turn our awareness to shine on ourselves, we may become conscious of a great deal ofinternal activity. We may notice specific thoughts or thought patterns. We may notice particular

emotions or flows of energy. We may awaken to physiological processes happening in our bodysuch as heartbeat, heat, sweating. We may notice intuitions or gut feelings.

The world of the selfis rich and fascinating and we are privileged to possess the ability to actuallyenjoy all of this consciously. Our capacity for awareness is what makes this possible.

The Definition of Self Awareness

Holds the Key to Positive Change

Self-awareness is the ultimate enabler. Without living knowledge of ourselves (which is anotherway of defining self awareness) there would be no hope for conscious, positive change. Thanks to

awareness we can take a good look at ourselves and our lives and see what is working for us andwhat isn't. This awareness plants the seeds of change in our subconscious mind. It plants in us thedrive and motivation to choose to do things differently.

The motivation for breaking bad habits, for example, comes from an awareness of the detrimentaleffects the bad habit is having in our lives. The self-motivation to change also comes from a vivid

awareness of what we want for ourselves and our future, and a lucid recognition that we simplywon't be able to have it if we don't leave our bad habits behind.

With self-awareness we can monitor the negativity inside us and prevent it from getting the best of

us. In breaking bad habits, self-awareness can help ensure that we are being hard on our habitsinstead of being hard on ourselves. It can also help us work withthe body mind connectionto

reduce damaging stress and revitalize. The more self-aware we become, the more power we haveto create positive change in our lives.
http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7XCbu9http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7XCbu9http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7XCbu9http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7XCbu9http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7XCbu9http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/body-mind-connection.htmlhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/body-mind-connection.htmlhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/body-mind-connection.htmlhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/body-mind-connection.htmlhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7XCbu9http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7XCbu9


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http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7aQiuG

The Definition of Self Awareness

Holds the Key to Positive Change


http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7jWaoB

Self-awareness is the ultimate enabler. Without living knowledge of ourselves (which is another

way of defining self awareness) there would be no hope for conscious, positive change. Thanks to

awareness we can take a good look at ourselves and our lives and see what is working for us andwhat isn't. This awareness plants the seeds of change in our subconscious mind. It plants in us thedrive and motivation to choose to do things differently.

The motivation for breaking bad habits, for example, comes from an awareness of the detrimental

effects the bad habit is having in our lives. The self-motivation to change also comes from a vividawareness of what we want for ourselves and our future, and a lucid recognition that we simplywon't be able to have it if we don't leave our bad habits behind.

With self-awareness we can monitor the negativity inside us and prevent it from getting the best ofus. In breaking bad habits, self-awareness can help ensure that we are being hard on our habits

instead of being hard on ourselves. It can also help us work withthe body mind connectionto

reduce damaging stress and revitalize. The more self-aware we become, the more power we haveto create positive change in our lives.

Read more:Definition Of Self Awareness - What Is Self Awarenesshttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7mq0Hy

What is Self Awareness but a

Living Knowledge of the Self?


http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7r4yJY

An expanded definition of self awareness is our ability to notice ourselves in the present moment.Self-awareness is often a good measure of 'presence'.

Being present with our body can bring us awareness of many things. A gut feeling may alert us tosomething that's not quite right; the flow of blood in our veins can awaken us to the simple joy of

being alive; a shiver down our spine may let us know that we have connected with a truth. Noticingthis internal activity as it happensis the manifestation of self-awareness.


http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7tonlg

Self Awareness

Self Awareness is having a clear perception of your personality, including strengths,

weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation, and emotions. Self Awareness allows you to

understand other people, how they perceive you, your attitude and your responses to them in the

moment.
http://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7aQiuGhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7aQiuGhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7aQiuGhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7aQiuGhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7aQiuGhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7jWaoBhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7jWaoBhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7jWaoBhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7jWaoBhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7jWaoBhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/body-mind-connection.htmlhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/body-mind-connection.htmlhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/body-mind-connection.htmlhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7mq0Hyhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7mq0Hyhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7mq0Hyhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7mq0Hyhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7mq0Hyhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7r4yJYhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7r4yJYhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7r4yJYhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7r4yJYhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7r4yJYhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7tonlghttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7tonlghttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7tonlghttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7tonlghttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7tonlghttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7tonlghttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7tonlghttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7r4yJYhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7r4yJYhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7mq0Hyhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7mq0Hyhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/body-mind-connection.htmlhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7jWaoBhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7jWaoBhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7aQiuGhttp://www.evolutionarypathways.com/definition-of-self-awareness.html#ixzz2jD7aQiuG


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We might quickly assume that we are self aware, but it is helpful to have a relative scale for

awareness. If you have ever been in an auto accident you may have experienced everything

happening in slow motion and noticing details of your thought process and the event. This is a

state if heightened awareness. With practice we can learn to engage these types of heightened

states and see new opportunities for interpretations in our thoughts, emotions, and

conversations.

Why Develop Self Awareness?

As you develop self awareness you are able to make changes in the thoughts and interpretations

you make in your mind. Changing the interpretations in your mind allows you to change your

emotions. Self awareness is one of the attributes of Emotional Intelligence and an important

factor in achieving success.

Self awarenessis the first step in creating what you want and mastering yourself. Where you

focus your attention, your emotions, reactions, personality and behavior determine where you go

in life.

Having self awareness allows you to see where your thoughts and emotions are taking you. It

also allows you to see the controls of your emotions, behavior, and personality so you can make

changes you want. Until you are aware in the moment of the controls to your thoughts,

emotions, words, and behavior, you will have difficulty making changes in the direction of your

life.

Self Awareness in Relationships

Relationships are easy until there is emotional turmoil. This is the same whether you are at work

or in your personal life. When you can change the interpretation in your mind of what you think

you can change your emotions and shift the emotional quality of your relationships. When you

can change the emotions in your relationships you open up entirely new possibilities your life.

Having a clear understanding of your thought and, behavior patterns helps you understand other

people. This ability to empathize facilitates better personal and professional relationships.

Develop Self Awareness

Self awareness is developed through practices in focusing your attention on the details of your

personality and behavior. It isnt learned from reading a book. When you read a book you are

focusing your attention on the conceptual ideas in the book. With your attention in a book you

are practicing not paying attention to your own behavior, emotions and personality.

Think of learning to be mindful and self aware as learning to dance. When learning to dance wehave to pay attention to how and where our feet move, our hands and body motion, what our

partner is doing, music, beat, floor space, and other dancers. Self awareness isnt learned from

books and the Tango isnt either. In my years of study and working with clients I have discovered

many useful techniques that accelerate the learning. I have incorporated these techniques into

theSelf Mastery audio course. The first four sessions are available free.

In the process of these sessions I am not telling anybody what to believe, how they should think,

or what they should do. I am basically sharing with people exercises in raising their self

awareness. When you become more self aware you instinctively begin to see aspects of your

personality and behavior that you didnt notice before.

If you have an emotional reaction of anger or frustration, you notice many of the thoughts and

small triggers that build up towards those emotions. You also notice moments when you can

change the interpretations in your mind, or not believe what we are thinking. In this heightened

awareness you instinctively make better choices in your thought process long before an

emotional reaction or destructive behavior.
http://www.pathwaytohappiness.com/self_mastery.htmhttp://www.pathwaytohappiness.com/self_mastery.htmhttp://www.pathwaytohappiness.com/self_mastery.htmhttp://www.pathwaytohappiness.com/self_mastery.htm


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Making changes in your behavior is much easier to do when you catch them early in the dynamic,

before the momentum of thought and emotion has gathered steam. The changes in your mind,

and behavior become simple and easy steps when you develop self awareness.

http://www.pathwaytohappiness.com/self-awareness.htm

Self-awarenessis the capacity forintrospection and the ability to recognize oneself as an individual separate from the

environment and other individuals.

The basis of personal identity[edit]

A philosophical view[edit]

"I think, therefore I exist, as a thing that thinks."

"...And as I observed that this truth 'I think, therefore I am' (Cogito ergo sum)was so certain and of such evidence ...I

concluded that I might, without scruple, accept it as the first principle of the Philosophy I was in search."

"...In the statement 'I think, therefore I am' ... I see very clearly that to think it is necessary to be, I concluded that I might

take, as a general rule, the principle, that all the things which we very clearly and distinctly conceive are true... "[1][2]

While reading Descartes, Locke began to relish the great ideas of philosophy and the scientific method. On one occasion,

while in a meeting with friends, the question of the "limits of human understanding" arose. He spent almost twenty years of

his life on the subject until the publication of An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, a great chapter in the History of

Philosophy.[3]

John Locke's chapter XXVII "On Identity and Diversity" inAn Essay Concerning Human Understanding(1689) has been

said to be one of the first modern conceptualizations of consciousness as the repeated self-identification ofoneself,through

whichmoral responsibilitycould be attributed to thesubjectand therefore punishment andguiltinessjustified, as critics

such asNietzschewould point out, affirming "...the psychology of conscience is not 'the voice of God in man'; it is the

instinct of cruelty ... expressed, for the first time, as one of the oldest and most indispensable elements in the foundation ofculture."[4][5][6]John Locke does not use the terms self-awarenessorself-consciousnessthough.[7]

According to Locke, personal identity (the self) "depends on consciousness, not onsubstance"nor on thesoul.We are the

same person to the extent that we are conscious of our past and future thoughts and actions in the same way as we are

conscious of our present thoughts and actions. If consciousness is this "thought" which doubles all thoughts, then personal

identity is only founded on the repeated act of consciousness: "This may show us wherein personal identity consists: not in

the identity of substance, but ... in the identity of consciousness". For example, one may claim to be a reincarnationof Plato,

therefore having the same soul. However, one would be the samepersonas Plato only if one had the same consciousness of

Plato's thoughts and actions that he himself did. Therefore, self-identity is not based on the soul. One soul may have various

personalities.

Self-identity is not founded either on the body or the substance, argues Locke, as the substance may change while the person

remains the same: "animal identity is preserved in identity of life, and not of substance", as the body of the animal grows andchanges during its life. Take for example a prince's soul which enters the body of a cobbler: to all exterior eyes, the cobbler

would remain a cobbler. But to the prince himself, the cobbler would be himself, as he would be conscious of the prince's

thoughts and acts, and not of the cobbler's life. A prince's consciousness in a cobbler body: thus the cobbler is, in fact, a

prince. But this interesting border-case leads to this problematic thought that since personal identity is based on

consciousness, and that only oneself can be aware of his consciousness, exterior human judges may never know if they really

are judgingand punishingthe same person, or simply the same body. In other words, Locke argues that you may be

judged only for the acts of your body, as this is what is apparent to all but God; however, you are in truth only responsible for

the acts for which you are conscious. This forms the basis of theinsanity defense:one can't be held accountable for acts in

which one wasunconsciouslyirrational, mentally ill[8]and therefore leads to interesting philosophical questions:

"personal identity consists [not in the identity of substance] but in the identity of consciousness, wherein if Socrates and the

present mayor of Queenborough agree, they are the same person: if the same Socrates waking and sleeping do not partake of

the same consciousness, Socrates waking and sleeping is not the same person. And to punish Socrates waking for whatsleeping Socrates thought, and waking Socrates was never conscious of, would be no more right, than to punish one twin for

what his brother-twin did, whereof he knew nothing, because their outsides were so like, that they could not be distinguished;

for such twins have been seen."[3]

Or again:
http://www.pathwaytohappiness.com/self-awareness.htmhttp://www.pathwaytohappiness.com/self-awareness.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introspectionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito_ergo_sumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito_ergo_sumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito_ergo_sumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lockehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lockehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Essay_Concerning_Human_Understandinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Essay_Concerning_Human_Understandinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Essay_Concerning_Human_Understandinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_(philosophy)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_(philosophy)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_(philosophy)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_responsibilityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_responsibilityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_responsibilityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subject_(philosophy)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subject_(philosophy)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilt_(emotion)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilt_(emotion)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilt_(emotion)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nietzschehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nietzschehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nietzschehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-consciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-consciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-consciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insanity_defensehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insanity_defensehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insanity_defensehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconsciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconsciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconsciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#endnote_Lockehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#endnote_Lockehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#endnote_Lockehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#endnote_Lockehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconsciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insanity_defensehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reincarnationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soulhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-consciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nietzschehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guilt_(emotion)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subject_(philosophy)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_responsibilityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self_(philosophy)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Essay_Concerning_Human_Understandinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lockehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito_ergo_sumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introspectionhttp://www.pathwaytohappiness.com/self-awareness.htm


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"PERSON, as I take it, is the name for this self. Wherever a man finds what he calls himself, there, I think, another may say

is the same person. It is a forensic term, appropriating actions and their merit; and so belong only to intelligent agents,

capable of a law, and happiness, and misery. This personality extends itself beyond present existence to what is past, only by

consciousness, --whereby it becomes concerned and accountable; owns and imputes to itself past actions, just upon the same

ground and for the same reason as it does the present. All which is founded in a concern for happiness, the unavoidable

concomitant of consciousness; that which is conscious of pleasure and pain, desiring that that self that is conscious should be

happy. And therefore whatever past actions it cannot reconcile or APPROPRIATE to that present self by consciousness, it

can be no more concerned in it than if they had never been done: and to receive pleasure or pain, i.e. reward or punishment,

on the account of any such action, is all one as to be made happy or miserable in its first being, without any demerit at all.

For, supposing a MAN punished now for what he had done in another life, whereof he could be made to have no

consciousness at all, what difference is there between that punishment and being CREATED miserable? And therefore,

conformable to this, the apostle tells us, that, at the great day, when every one shall 'receive according to his doings, the

secrets of all hearts shall be laid open.' The sentence shall be justified by the consciousness all person shall have, that THEY

THEMSELVES, in what bodies soever they appear, or what substances soever that consciousness adheres to, are the SAME

that committed those actions, and deserve that punishment for them."[4]

Henceforth, Locke's conception of personal identity found it not on the substance or the body, but in the "same continued

consciousness", which is also distinct from the soul. He creates a third term between the soul and the bodyand Locke's

thought may certainly be meditated by those who, following ascientistideology, would identify too quickly the brain to

consciousness. For the brain, as the body and as any substance, may change, while consciousness remains the same.

Therefore personal identity is not in the brain, but in consciousness. However, Locke's theory also reveals his debt to

theologyand toApocalyptic"great day", which by advance excuse any failings of human justice and therefore humanity's

miserable state.

Self-Awareness Theory[edit]

Self-Awareness Theory states that when we focus our attention on ourselves, we evaluate and compare our current behavior

to our internal standards and values. We become self-conscious as objective evaluators of ourselves. However self-awareness

is not to be confused withself-consciousness.[9]Various emotional states are intensified by self-awareness. However, some

people may seek to increase their self-awareness through these outlets. People are more likely to align their behavior with

their standards when made self-aware. People will be negatively affected if they don't live up to their personal standards.

Various environmental cues and situations induce awareness of the self, such as mirrors, an audience, or being videotaped or

recorded. These cues also increase accuracy of personal memory.

[10]

InDemetriou's theory, one of theneo-Piagetian theoriesof cognitive development,self-awareness develops systematically from birth through the life span and it is a major factor for

the development of general inferential processes.[11]Moreover, a series of recent studies showed that self-awareness about

cognitive processes participates in generalintelligenceon a par with processing efficiency functions, such asworking

memory,processing speed,andreasoning.[12]

In psychology[edit]

In psychology, the concept of "self-awareness" is used in different ways:

As a form ofintelligence,self-awareness can be an understanding of one's own knowledge, attitudes, and

opinions.Alfred Binet's first attempts to create an intelligence test included items for "auto-critique"a critical

understanding of oneself.[17]

Surprisingly we do not have a privileged access to our own opinions and knowledge

directly. For instance, if we try to enumerate all the members of any conceptual category we know, our production

falls much short of our recognition of members of that category.

Albert Bandura[18]

has created a category called self-efficacy that builds on our varying degrees of self-awareness.

Our general inaccuracy about our own abilities, knowledge, and opinions has created many popular phenomena

for research such as thebetter than average effect.For instance, 90% of drivers may believe that they are "better

than average" (Swenson, 1981)[19]

Their inaccuracy comes from the absence of a clear definable measure of driving

ability and their own limited self-awareness; and this of course underlines the importance of objective standards

to inform our subjective self-awareness in all domains. Inaccuracy in our opinion seems particularly disturbing, for

what is more personal than opinions. Yet, inconsistency in our opinion is as strong as in our knowledge of facts. For

instance, people who call themselves opposite extremes in political views often hold not just overlapping political

views, but views that are an essential component of the opposite extreme. Reconciling such differences proves

difficult and gave rise toLeon Festinger's theory ofCognitive Dissonance.[20]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness

Self-Awareness and Educators: Dedicating You to Your Work
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#endnote_Lockeahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#endnote_Lockeahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#endnote_Lockeahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypsehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypsehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypsehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-consciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-consciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetriouhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetriouhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetriouhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Piagetian_theories_of_cognitive_developmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Piagetian_theories_of_cognitive_developmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Piagetian_theories_of_cognitive_developmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Piagetian_theories_of_cognitive_developmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_memoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_memoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_memoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_memoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processing_speedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processing_speedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processing_speedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reasoninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reasoninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Binethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Binethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Binethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Bandurahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Bandurahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Bandurahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_superiorityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_superiorityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_superiorityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Festingerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Festingerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Festingerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_Dissonancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_Dissonancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awarenesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awarenesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awarenesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_Dissonancehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Festingerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-19http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_superiorityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Bandurahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Bandurahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-17http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Binethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reasoninghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Processing_speedhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_memoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_memoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Piagetian_theories_of_cognitive_developmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Piagetian_theories_of_cognitive_developmenthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetriouhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-consciousnesshttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Self-awareness&action=edit&section=4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalypsehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-awareness#endnote_Lockea


7/7

Education requires self-awareness and self-recognition, working with students of any grade level, working within

any learning atmosphere - Childhood education, College Education, and even Training environments. It is not

specifically that educators must be self-confident; it is simply that educators must be self-aware. Self-recognition

or self-awareness is directly related to the outcome of the instructional or learning experience through the

relationship of communication, the accuracy of sharing knowledge, and the ability to explainrelationships

between materials.

Self-recognition is a key component of successful instructional and learning experiences. Yeh (2006) found that

intrapersonal intelligence is discovered, in previous research, to be directly related to "a person's ability to reflect

upon and regulate his or her thoughts and behaviours." (p. 515). In addition, Yeh (2006) further defines that self-

awareness influences the ability to regulate and reflect upon thought patterns and "goes beyond the strict

demands of strategy selection and outcome evaluation in the problem solving process." (p. 515). Yeh is not alone

in recognizing the rising awareness of the importance of self-awareness and self-recognition in the educational

fields. Lang and Evans (2006) state, "To be an effective learning facilitator you must know subject matter, have a

good grasp of learning and developmental theory, and have command of a wide repertoire of instructional skills."

(p. 43).

Overall, the individual needs of a person influence the ability of the person to successfully pursue goals that

directly result in success. For instance, there is a need to believe in content, to share strength in knowledge, and to

overcome the needs of self that can interfere with necessary changes and growth. A number of issues can arise

from lower self-image and failure to be self-aware; these can include failure to recognize demand levels on

students, failure to acknowledge needed changes, and even failure to communicate effectively with students.

Educators must work often to evaluate their actions and their inner thinking to be acutely aware of issues that

could result poor learning environments.

It is well defined that the atmosphere for learning is often overwhelmed by the personality of the learning

facilitator. Every person has a distinct reference to life and self. These references interact with methods of

instruction and communication. Strong self-awareness must be carefully tempered by empathy, and self-

confidence tempered by humility. Instructors must recognize their strengths and weaknesses, carefully pursuing

balance to increase success - most particularly in communication.

Reference:

Lang, H., & Evans, D. (2006).Models, Strategies, and Methods for Effective Teaching. New York, N.Y.: Allyn and

Bacon, Pearson Education, Inc.

Yeh, Y. (2006, July). The interactive effects of personal traits and guided practices on preservice teachers' changes

in personal teaching efficacy.British Journal of Educational Technology,37(4), 513-526. Retrieved September

26, 2009, doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2006.00550.x
http://voices.yahoo.com/theme/1394/relationships.htmlhttp://voices.yahoo.com/theme/1394/relationships.htmlhttp://voices.yahoo.com/theme/1394/relationships.htmlhttp://voices.yahoo.com/theme/1394/relationships.html

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