Personality, Self-Esteem, and Emotions Unit Two Lesson One

What do you think… “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise L. Hay Write a short paragraph describing what this quote means to you.

Let’s Discuss What self-esteem issues affect your age group the most?

Personality Your personality consists of the behaviors, attitudes, feelings, and way of thinking that make you an individual. For example – when you meet someone new, you may be outgoing or you may be shy. A psychologist studies how people think, feel, and behave. They break-down a person’s personality in to five main traits.

Personality Traits Extroversion – this trait describes how much you like being with other people. Extrovert – Outgoing, talkative, and sociable. Tends to seek-out people. Introvert – shy, quiet, and reserved. Tend to spend a lot of time by themselves

Personality Traits Agreeableness – This trait describes your tendency to relate to other people in a friendly way. People who are agreeable tend to cooperate with others People who are disagreeable tend to be suspicious or hostile – they assume others are unreliable or ready to take advantage of them.

Personality Traits Conscientiousness – This trait describes how responsible and self-disciplined you are. Conscientious (kahn shee EN shus) people tend to be dependable and make good decisions. They approach tasks in an organized, deliberate, and thorough manner. People who are not conscientious tend to not think through decisions, are careless, and easily distracted – they may give up on tasks or lose interest before it is complete.

Personality Traits Emotionally Stability – people who are emotionally stable tend to be relaxed, secure, and calm, even during difficult situations. These are the optimists in your life. On the other end of the scale, people who are not emotionally stable are fearful, worried, and angry.

Personality Traits Openness to Experiences – These people tend to be curious, imaginative, and creative. They are likely to have a wide range of interests and may be less predictable. People who are less open tend to be more predictable and less independent. They are likely to do what everyone else is doing.

On your own… How would you describe your personality using the five central traits?

How is your Personality Formed? Personality traits are often shaped by heredity Do you know anyone that acts like their mom or dad? This is called modeling. Personality traits could also be shaped by friends or peer groups

Personality Development Develop trust (birth – 18 months) Learn to be independent (18 mo – 3 years) Take initiative (3-6) Develop Skills (6-12) Search for identity (12-20) Establish intimacy (20-40) Create and nurture (40-65) Look back with acceptance (65+)

Self-Esteem Self Esteem is your opinion of yourself How much you respect yourself and like yourself Many psychologists think that high self-esteem has a positive effect on health, while low self- esteem has a negative effect on health.

Self-Esteem Benefits of high self-esteem Risks of low self-esteem Accept themselves for who they are – they have a realistic view of their strengths and weaknesses If you feel good about yourself, you are more likely to eat better, exercise regularly, and avoid risky behaviors. Risks of low self-esteem Do not have much respect for themselves – they judge themselves harshly. These people may put on an act to try to impress others such as goofing around in class in an attempt to hide insecurities. These people are at a higher risk to use drugs, drop out of school, become pregnant, and suffer from eating disorders.

On Your Own Make a list of things you feel make you a great person.

Boosting Our Self-Esteem Maintain a positive attitude Focus on strengths Set realistic goals for yourself Avoid risky behaviors Ask for help Help others Accept compliments

How Self-Esteem Develops Self-esteem is not a constant – it can increase or decrease as people interact with family, friends, etc. As a child: Developed via support and encouragement from family members. Starting with small tasks as children succeed, confidence grows. During adolescence: (This is a critical time) Teens judge themselves harshly – Find successes As an adult: Self-esteem generally rises in adulthood – adults begin to accomplish goals and take control of their lives.

Achieving your potential The process in which people achieve their full potential is called self-actualization. Before people achieve this, their basic needs must be met. This is displayed in the hierarchy of needs.

Hierarchy of Needs

Warm-Up Make a list of things that are currently stressing you out.

Your Challenge for Wednesday Do something nice for someone that is not expecting it. Write it down – Prepare to share with a partner

Expressing Your Emotions An emotion is a reaction to a situation that involves your mind, body, and behavior. Research shows that a human is born with very few primary emotions – these are emotions expressed in all cultures. Happiness, sadness, anger, fear

Learned Emotions Learned emotions, also called, social emotions, these emotions are not expressed in the same way by all people. Love, guilt, and shame. How do you express these?

Recognizing Your Emotions Three Steps Name the emotion you are feeling Determine what triggered the emotion Think back to the last time you felt this way – is there a common factor? Does a change need to be made? Can you change it?

Coping with Emotions A coping strategy is a way of dealing with an uncomfortable or unbearable situation or feeling. Can you name a coping strategy? These can make a situation better or worse Defense mechanisms – These are coping strategies that help you protect yourself from difficult feelings.

Defense Mechanisms Denial Compensation Rationalization Example Denial Compensation Rationalization Reaction Formation Projection Regression Refusing to recognize the problem Making up for weaknesses by excelling in something else Making excuses for actions Behaving in a way opposite of your feelings Putting your own faults onto another person Returning to immature behaviors to express emotions

Coping Eating Using drugs or alcohol Harmful Ways Helpful Ways Eating Using drugs or alcohol Withdrawing from family or friends Becoming angry at others Confront the situation head-on - take action to improve the situation Release energy by exercising, cleaning your room, or being active. Take a break to read a book or magazine, listen to music, or take a peaceful walk. Take through your feelings with a family member or trusted friend.