Difference Between Self-Awareness and Self-Consciousness

Key Difference – Self-Awareness vs Self-Consciousness

Although there is a difference between self-awareness and self-consciousness, these are very much related. Inpsychology, attention is specifically focused on self-awareness. This refers to the knowledge that an individual has of himself. On the other hand, self-consciousness also refers to a form of awareness that an individual has of himself. However, thekey difference between self-awareness and self-consciousness is that, unlike self-awareness, the self-consciousness is a preoccupation an individual has of himself. Through this article let us examine the key differences between the two states.

What is Self Awareness?

Self-awareness can be understood as the awareness or knowledge that an individual has of himself or herself.This assists the individual to set himself apart from others as well from the environment. Self-awareness allows the individual to have a better comprehension of himself, his highs and lows. To be more specific, it assists the individual to look into himself.

According to Psychologists, self-awareness is a concept that develops as the individual matures, starting from one’s birth. As the child grows up he begins to be more self-aware. Psychologists have extended their research of self-awareness to animals as well. Through various experiments such as the mirror test, psychologists have studied whether animals such as chimpanzees also have a developed sense of self-awareness.

Being self-aware can be very beneficial to the individual. Let us comprehend this through an example. Imagine a person who often finds it difficult to maintain relationships with others. This particular individual always ends up antagonizing others. If the individual is aware of this situation, it gives him the opportunity, tointrospectand find out his flaws that contribute this situation. In such a context, self-awareness can be helpful. Now let us move on to the next word, self-consciousness.

什么是自我意识？

自我意识也指一个人的意识形式。But the key difference between self-consciousness and self-awareness is that while self-awareness is healthy and allows the individual to set truly himself apart from others, self-consciousness can be unhealthy. It is almost similar to a preoccupation that an individual has where he will be conscious of every move, every word, etc.

有时我们都可以自我意识。例如，如果我们在很大的听众面前发表演讲，或者如果我们觉得有人在看着我们，那很自然地感到自我意识是很自然的。在这种情况下，我们的行为不像往常一样自由。相反，我们对一举一动谨慎。这是研究人员在研究中采取谨慎措施的原因之一，不要破坏研究对象的普通生活。当我们自我意识时，我们试图在任务中非常准确。

心理学家指出，如果一个人自我意识，他也能够在自我意识时理解。因此，可以强调自我意识也是一种意识形式。这强调了，尽管自我意识和自我意识之间存在明显的联系，但它们并不相同。现在，让我们总结两者之间的区别，如下所示。

What is the Difference Between Self-Awareness and Self-Consciousness?

Definitions of Self-Awareness and Self-Consciousness:

Self-Awareness:Self-awareness can be understood as the awareness or knowledge that an individual has of himself or herself.

Self-Consciousness:自我意识也指一个人的意识形式。一个人有一个人会意识到自己的运动和行为，几乎类似于一个关注。

Characteristics of Self-Awareness and Self-Consciousness:

Nature:

Self-Awareness:Self-awareness allows the individual to obtain knowledge of himself.

Self-Consciousness:Self-consciousness makes the individual feel preoccupied with self.

健康/不健康的行为：

Self-Awareness:This is healthy as it makes the person know of his mistakes.

Self-Consciousness:This can sometimes be very unhealthy.

Image Courtesy:

1.Vincent Bethell Self Aware PlacardBy SRHSP (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0) orGFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

2. “RobertFuddBewusstsein17Jh” by Robert Fludd [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons