Essentially, it is a psychological state in which the self becomes the focus ofattention.
How Does Self-Awareness Develop?
Self-awareness is one of the first components of theself-conceptto emerge.
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People are not born completely self-aware.
Yet evidence suggests that infants do have a rudimentary sense of self-awareness.
Researchers have also found that even newborns can differentiate between self- and non-self touch.
The researchers applied a red dot to an infant’s nose and held the child to a mirror.
Studies have also used brain imaging to show that this region becomes activated in adults who are self-aware.
Levels of Self-Awareness
So how exactly do children become aware of themselves as separate beings?
Psychologists often break self-awareness down into two different types, either public or private.
Public Self-Awareness
This key in emerges when people are aware of how they appear to others.
Public self-awareness typically emerges in situations when people are at thecenter of attention.
This jot down of self-awareness often compels people to adhere tosocial norms.
Because you are the focus of attention, you become more acutely aware of how others might perceive you.
For example, seeing your face in the mirror is a bang out of private self-awareness.
Certain strategies can help you build a greater sense of private self-awareness.
Why Is Self-Awareness Important?
Self-awareness is important because it allows you to reflect on aspects of yourself.
Self-aware people are able to manage their behaviors and adapt to situations.
They can accurately evaluate what the situation requires and then modify their actions accordingly.
This can be vital in many areas of life, including your relationships and work.
It can also factor in when it comes to personal development.
How to Improve Your Self-Awareness
So how do you grow self-awareness?
This is all valuable information that can help you get to know yourself and your tendencies.
It can be a therapeutic way to gain insight into your life events and relationships.
Develop Your Emotional Intelligence
Self-awareness andemotional intelligence(EQ) go hand in hand.
EQ refers to a person’s ability to perceive their own emotions and those of others.
Someone with ahigh EQcan effectively respond to emotions withempathyandcompassion.
Of course, no one is perfect, and EQ is a skill like any other.
This heightened state of self-awareness can leave you feeling awkward and nervous in some instances.
For some people, however, excessive self-consciousness can reflect a chronic condition such associal anxiety disorder.
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