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One's view of self has pervasive and significant effects socially, psychologi cally, and even biologically. Regardless of theoretical differences, most psycho therapists agree that perception of self in one way or another profoundly impacts emotional satisfaction, behavioral adaptation, and rational thinking. Self-accep tance has played a major role in almost every major theory of personality. Despite its recognized importance over the years, only recently has the percep tion of self received vigorous research attention as a central variable in the development and maintenance of psychological dysfunction and as a mediating mechanism in effecting psychological change. Several lines of evidence point to the importance of self-perception in emotional disorder and psychotherapy. Feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness are frequently cited complaints among persons seeking psychological help. Peo ple with low self-esteem see themselves as helpless and inferior. They feel incapable of improving their situation. They fail to evidence the requisite inner resources or coping abilities for tolerating the stress of their life situation. The ability to be involved in healthy intimate relationships, to engage in successful career performance, to experience satisfactory sexual functioning, or to maintain effective mood management are all subject to disruption as a result of inconsis tent and impaired self-appraisal.
List of contents
I. Theoretical Perspectives.- 1 Self and the Control of Behavior.- 2 Perceiving the Self as an Effective Agent.- 3 A Neuropsychodynamic Perspective on the Self: Brain, Thought, and Emotion.- 4 Looking for Introspection; Self-Consciousness, Self-Awareness, and Emotionality: Preliminary Empirical Findings.- II. Clinical Applications.- 5 Shyness and Self-Concept.- 6 Self-Concept Deficiencies in Eating Disorders.- 7 The Role of Self in Alcohol Use.- 8 The Self-Schema in Depression.- 9 Anxiety, Worry, and the Self.- III Treatment Implications.- 10 Social Anxiety, Problem Drinking, and Self-Awareness.- 11 Self-Construct Perspectives in Psychotherapy.- 12 The Self as Mediator of Cognitive Change in Psychotherapy.
