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Who am I?Personal Identity

Dr Funke Baffour

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Outline– Who am I?– Personal Identity– Theories of identity

– Erikson’s Identity Crisis

– Healthy Identity– Identity and Values– Self Esteem

– Low– Healthy– Top tips to improve authentic self

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Who am I?

– Black – British– Nigerian– Psychologist– Doctor

• Labels given to me at birth and as a result of my qualifications!

• Who am I beside these add ons?

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Identity

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Identity

The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a

persisting entity; individuality.

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Personal Identity

•A sense of individual autonomy.

•An experience that is core and unique to you.

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What is your identity?Through status symbols.

• These symbols help form teen identities by expressing affiliation with specific groups.

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What is your identity?Through forbidden behaviuors

• Teens often feel that appearing mature will bring recognition and acceptance.

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What is your identity?Through rebellion

• Rebellion demonstrates separation. • From parents and authority figures, while maintaining

the acceptance of their peers.

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What is your identity?Through idols

• Loose hold of their own identities. • Identification with idol gives teens a sense of

belonging.

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What is your identity?Through cliquish exclusion

• Teens can be intolerant in their exclusion of their peers.

• Don’t want to be associated with anyone having unacceptable or unattractive characteristics.

• Strengthen their own identities by excluding those that are not like them.

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Identity Crisis

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Identity Crisis

• According to Erikson's theory:• Resolving a crisis determines personal identity

and future development. • First crisis happens early to middle adolescence• Crisis of identity vs Identity confusion. • This crisis represents the struggle to find balance

between developing a unique, individual identity while still being accepted and "fitting in."

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Identity Crisis• Uncertain about who you are.

• Become socially disconnected and cut-off from others.

• Or develop an exaggerated sense of your own importance.

• If become stuck at this stage unable to become emotionally mature adults .

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‘Healthy Identity’

• When navigate through this crisis a clear understanding of individual identity emerges.

• Easy to share this "self" with others.

• Therefore become healthy and well-adjusted.

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Self Identity and Values

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Self Identity & Values

• Self-identities evolves –Value system emerges.

• Your values are the things that you believe are

important

• It determines your priorities

• A measure used to tell if your life is turning out the

way you that you desired

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Self Esteem, Self Worth and Self Opinion

• Self Esteem –the way we see, think and feel about ourselves.• Self Worth-the way we value

ourselves.• Self Opinion-the judgement we

make of ourselves.

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• Self-esteem can be misaligned with other people's perception of who we are.

• Self esteem is what we build for ourselves.

• We cant rely on external factors

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‘Low’ self esteem

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How to develop a healthy sense of self

• First and foremost start by developing a better relationship with your authentic self.

• Do not rely on eternal factors to formulate who you are!

• Tips on how to do this is in Dr Funke Baffour’s Book “Love you Authentic Self”

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Improving your Authentic Self Five Top Tips

1. Identify your qualities

2. Focus on past successes

3. Recognise unhelpful criticism

4. Use an alternative view point to negative

thoughts

5. Avoid unhelpful comparisons

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Overview We have explored– Who am I?– Personal Identity– Theories of identity

– Erikson’s Identity Crisis

– Healthy Identity– Identity and Values– Self Esteem

– Low– Healthy– Top tips to improve authentic self

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Final Note