Problem:
Social psychologists argue that our sense of self develops through interactions with other people and the social environments we experience throughout life. Two theories that explain why the self is social are the self-perception theory and the self-expansion theory. While these theories approach self-development differently, both demonstrate that our identities are continually shaped by our behaviors, relationships, and experiences. Self-perception theory suggests that people develop an understanding of themselves by observing their own behaviors and drawing conclusions about their attitudes, values, and personality (Heinzen & Goodfriend, 2022). Rather than always knowing who we are internally, we often look at our actions to determine what kind of person we have become. This idea resonates with me because I have learned a great deal about myself through experiences rather than simply thinking about who I wanted to be. For example, serving in the Army has shown me that I am more resilient and adaptable than I ever realized. Facing challenging situations, balancing responsibilities, and continuing to push myself physically and academically demonstrated qualities that I may not have recognized otherwise. Looking back at those behaviors helped me see that I value discipline, perseverance, and serving others. Even my commitment to consistently working out and improving my health has reinforced that I am someone who is capable of setting long-term goals. Need Assignment Help?