What is Sense of Self?

A brief guide to understanding Sense of Self: one of Motional's Executive Functioning Subdomains. What is Sense of Self and why is it important?

Sense of Self is one of the subdomains in Motional, within the Domain of Executive Functioning.

Sense of Self refers to a person's understanding of who they are and their place in the world. It encompasses various aspects of an individual, such as their personality, beliefs and values. Executive functioning and Theory of Mind play a crucial role in developing a Sense of Self, enabling individuals to perceive and interpret their environment and make sense of their experiences.

Executive functioning skills such as self-awareness, planning, and organisation contribute to an individual's sense of self by enabling them to reflect on their actions, make choices that align with their values and goals, and regulate their behaviour in response to social and emotional cues. For example, individuals with well-developed self-awareness can better identify their strengths and weaknesses and make decisions that align with their goals and values. On the other hand, an individual with underdeveloped executive functioning skills may struggle with self-regulation, impulsivity, and decision-making, which can hinder the development of a positive sense of self.

Theory of mind also contributes to an individual's sense of self by enabling them to understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours and those of others. By understanding the perspectives and emotions of others, individuals can better understand their thoughts and feelings and develop empathy, which is a crucial component of self-awareness and emotional regulation.

Confidence and self-esteem are also important components of a sense of self. Confidence refers to a belief in our abilities, while self-esteem refers to an individual's overall sense of self-worth. Both confidence and self-esteem are closely related to Executive Functioning and Theory of Mind. For example, an individual with well-developed Executive Functioning skills can better set achievable goals and experience success, increasing their confidence and self-esteem. Similarly, an individual with well-developed Theory of Mind skills is better able to understand their own emotions and perspectives, as well as those of others, which can foster a positive sense of self-worth and self-acceptance.

A well-developed sense of self involves executive functioning skills, theory of mind, confidence, and self-esteem.