PEDEV NOTES FOR PRELIMS

UNIT 1. KNOWING ONESELF

• Learning objectives:
• The learners shall be able to:
• 1. Conduct self-exploration and simple disclosure;
• 2. Explain that knowing oneself can make a person accept his/her strengths and
limitations and dealing with others better;
3. Share his/her unique characteristics, habits, and experiences through a reflective
essay and/or drawing.
DEFINING THE CONCEPT OF THE SELF
• SELF is defined as the individuality of a person which is the subject of learning
experiences, varied emotions and thoughts.

• One’s concept of the SELF is not readily evident as one unfolds his consciousness. Self
concept becomes a product of the thorough learnings that one derived both from his
“nature” of biological inheritance represented by one’s genes and by the environment also
known as “nurture.”
• Self is the union of elements, namely: body, thoughts, feelings or emotions, and sensations
that constitute the individuality and identity of a person.
• The body constitutes your physical attributes, your health, and your posture and poise.
• Thoughts is the way you think, and how you perceive things around you affect how you feel
about them and bring about sensations.

• Emotions and sensations that you experience prompt you to act and behave the way
you do
• The union of these elements makes up your character or personality and essentially
distinguishes you from others. When asked to describe yourself, you may probably talk
about your physical characteristics, your interests, hobbies, skills or abilities or your beliefs.
Physical attributes such as height, skin complexion, temperaments, which can be inherited
from your parents. Similarities of attributes and traits, may be observed in the family, such
as with your siblings, but know that no two individuals are alike even among twins.
• If the “SELF” is defined as the cognitive and affective representations of one’s identity, it is
then defined in terms of human characteristics such as behavior and thought.
• In Psychology, the term Personality, is referred to as the set of behaviors, feelings, thoughts
and motives that identifies an individual.
• Personality is the essence of who we are, and is the embodiment of one’s physical,
psychological, cognitive, affective and spiritual self.
• Therefore, when we speak of the “SELF,” we describe it synonymously with personality.
 • The Johari Window model is a 4-quadrant grid developed by American Psychologists,
Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in 1955 at the University of California, Los Angeles. This
tool is useful to achieve self-awareness, learning about the self as a human being as well as
developing healthy relations between individuals. Disclosing elements, traits and
characteristics about the self leads to evaluation of the self as well as deriving feedback from
the significant others.
• The 4 quadrants are:
• 1. OPEN AREA – this quadrant represents things about you that you know about yourself,
and the things that others know about you. This includes your behaviors, knowledge, skills,
attitudes, and “public” history.
• BLIND AREA/SPOT – this quadrant represents things about you that you aren’t aware of,
but that are known by others. This can include simple information that you do not know,
or it can involve deep issues (for. Ex. Feelings of inadequacy, incompetence, unworthiness,
or rejection) which are often difficult for individuals to face directly, and yet can be seen by
others.
• HIDDEN AREA – this quadrant represents things that you know about yourself, but that
others don’t know.
• UNKNOWN AREA - this last quadrant represents things that are unknown to you and are
unknown to others.
• Learning about ourselves, our wants, desires, interests, thoughts and the like allows not only
a better understanding of what we are but what we want and what will make us happy.

HOW DO WE GET TO KNOW OURSELVES?

1. Introspection or Self-analysis
A more in-depth analysis of the self can be initiated by asking a question that may be
thought provoking thus leading to a series of sub questions or queries about the self.
Ex. “Who Am I?”
2. KEEP A SELF-REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
A.Positive self-reflection
• This is an analysis or assessment of the self while focusing on the strengths and the
abilities, skills, potentials.
• This is to pay attention on the good side of the self to motivate the “self.”
B. Negative Self-reflection
• This is an analysis of the self, based on our weaknesses, but most especially those
failures so as to have an acceptance and further growth through analysis of what the
shortcomings of the individual are.

3. BE SELF-AWARE
• This is a skill where we Tune in to our feelings, thoughts and actions to understand
how it affects us and the significant others in our life.
 • It is necessary to “see one’s self” and not how others see us.
• What matters is how we regard ourselves and not how others regard us.
•
• In this activity, it is imperative to analyze the following:
• a. Errors in what we have done.
• b. One’s feelings about some significant events in our lives.
• c. Other people’s needs and feelings.
• d. How we affect other people.
• e. What we can do to address some issues in our lives.
4. SELF-AFFIRMATION
Self-Affirmation means confirming or validating who you are and what you are.. It is
asserting something as valid or confirmed. To show a strong belief in or dedication.

• 1. Create a mantra that focuses on your inner strength and beauty.

• 2. Be grateful that you are alive, normal and productive.
• 3. Love yourself.
•
5. GET TO KNOW YOUR CORE VALUES
Core values are the moral codes and the principles you hold close to and treasured by your
heart.

Your core values may include honesty, integrity, security or flexibility. It may consist of
dedication to others, wisdom and learning, financial comfort or fun.
Core values play a big role in decision-making, influencing, persuading, conflict-resolution,
communication, living your day-to-day life, in school and at home, and in all aspects of our
life.

Your core values may be loyalty above excellence, responsibility aboe ambition, or
innovation above improvement.

KNOWING YOURSELF IS ALSO ABOUT KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE BECAUSE IT LEADS TO
IMPROVED DECISION-MAKING, SETTING AND ATTAINING GOALS AND EVENTUALLY LIVING A MORE
FRUITFUL LIFE.