Self Four Aspects of Self

¶ … Self

four Aspects of self as described by Daniel Stern

The Interpersonal World of the Infant by Daniel Stern's is concerned essentiality with the way that subjective experiences and a sense of self develop during infancy. These include the following main stages or sequences; Sense of an Emergent Self (birth-2 months of age); Sense of Core Self (2 -- 6 months); Sense of Subjective Self (7 -- 15 months) and Sense of a Verbal Self (15 months onwards) ( Zuriff, E. 1992).

Stern makes a number of important assumptions in this book that can be related to an analysis of a sense of subjective self. He states that "It is a basic assumption of this book that some senses of the self do exist long prior to self-awareness and language. These include the senses of agency, of physical cohesion, of continuity in time, of having intentions in mind" (Stern, 1985, p.6). Furthermore, Stern asserts that these levels of self-realization can en related to later life (Daniel_Stern_psychologist). In this light the stages that Stern suggests will be applied to my personal experience.

One of the central aspects or sequences of the developing self that Stern discusses and which can be related to the developing self is the concept of the emergent self. I am often confused when faced with a stressful situation or when there are a large number of demands or events that I have to pay attention to. While this is normal on one level it is also relates to the concept of the emergent self. Stern notes in this early stage that the infant has to relate and integrate seemingly unrelated or divergent sensory stimuli. It often takes me longer than others to integrate or relate diverse stimuli, especially when there are deadlines or stress involved.

This also relates to the second level of the developmental sequence of the self as discussed by stern; namely, the core self. Possibly, the fact that it takes me longer to integrate and organize diverse data also refers to this phase of subjective development. Therefore, to strengthen this subjective weakness I should work on consciously regulating and controlling diverse stimuli and stress.

On the other hand one of my strengths lies in interpersonal and intersubjective relationships. I get on well with other and make and retain friends very easily. This could be referred to in terms of Stern's Sense of Subjective Self. As Stern notes, the child or infant becomes aware that the 'gap' that develops in the realization of its subjectivity can be overcome through various intersubjective experiences. My strength in this regard lies in my understanding of the value of intersubjectivity in enhancing my own sense of self.

Another strength that I have that can be related to Stern's theory is the verbal self. As Stern notes, the capacity that the child develops for representation and language usage also tends to enhance intersubjective aspects of development. In other words, intersubjectivity is improved through the development of symbolic language. This is a strength that I feel can be further enhanced and improved in later life. A sensitivity to language and symbolic representation also allows us to develop better relationship skills.