Kinds of Self

The Two Fundamental Kinds of Self

The self is not a single, fixed entity. Through our interactions with the physical world and the socio-cultural environment around us, several kinds of self develop. The very first elements of self can be observed in a newborn child. When a baby cries for milk because it is hungry, that cry is initially just a reflex. However, over time, this repeated experience leads to the development of an awareness: "I am hungry." This marks the beginning of the biological self.

This biological self does not remain static. It modifies itself according to the socio-cultural environment in which a person grows up. For instance, while you might feel hungry for a chocolate, an Eskimo living in a completely different environment would not share that same craving. The environment shapes even our most basic biological experiences.

The most important distinction the book makes is between the personal self and the social self.

The Personal Self

The personal self leads to an orientation where a person feels primarily concerned with themselves. While the biological self arises from basic biological needs like hunger, a child's psychological and social needs soon cause other components of the personal self to emerge. Emphasis comes to be placed on those aspects of life that relate only to the concerned individual. These include:

• Personal freedom
• Personal responsibility
• Personal achievement
• Personal comforts

The Social Self (Familial or Relational Self)

The social self emerges in relation with others. It emphasises aspects of life that involve connection and community, such as:

• Cooperation
• Unity
• Affiliation
• Sacrifice
• Support
• Sharing

This self values family and social relationships above individual concerns. Because of its strong focus on family and relational bonds, it is also referred to as the familial self or relational self. …