Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDevelopmentLevelsTypesImportanceHow to ImproveSelf-ConsciousnessFrequently Asked Questions

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Development

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Importance

How to Improve

Self-Consciousness

Frequently Asked Questions

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Self-awareness is your ability to perceive and understand the things that make you who you are as an individual, including your personality, actions, values, beliefs, emotions, and thoughts. Essentially, it is a psychological state in which the self becomes the focus ofattention.

While self-awareness is central to your identity, it is not something you are acutely focused on at every moment of every day. Instead, self-awareness becomes woven into the fabric of who you are and emerges at different points depending on the situation and yourpersonality.​

At a GlanceWhile we might not think about it all the time, self-awareness is critical to our understand of our selves and our relationship with the world. This understanding starts to form early in life, and become increasingly important as we grow older and begin to gain greater insights into our own thoughts, feelings, sensations, and behavior patterns. Keep reading to learn more about what experts have learned about how self-awareness develops, the different forms it can take, and what you can do to gain deeper insights into who you are as an individual.

At a Glance

While we might not think about it all the time, self-awareness is critical to our understand of our selves and our relationship with the world. This understanding starts to form early in life, and become increasingly important as we grow older and begin to gain greater insights into our own thoughts, feelings, sensations, and behavior patterns. Keep reading to learn more about what experts have learned about how self-awareness develops, the different forms it can take, and what you can do to gain deeper insights into who you are as an individual.

How Does Self-Awareness Develop?

Self-awareness is one of the first components of theself-conceptto emerge. People are not born completely self-aware. Yet evidence suggests that infants do have a rudimentary sense of self-awareness.

Self-Awareness and the Mirror Recognition Task

The researchers applied a red dot to an infant’s nose and held the child to a mirror. Children who recognized themselves in the mirror would reach for their own noses rather than the reflection in the mirror, which indicated that they had at least some level of self-awareness.

Lewis and Brooks-Gunn found that almost no children under one year would reach for their own noses rather than the reflection in the mirror.

It is important to note that the Lewis and Brooks-Gunn study only indicates an infant’s visual self-awareness; children might actually possess other forms of self-awareness even at this early point in life. For example, researchers have also suggested thatexpressing emotionsinvolves self-awareness and an ability to think about oneself in relation to other people.

Self-Awareness and the Brain

Researchers have proposed that an area of the brain known as the anterior cingulate cortex located in the frontal lobe region plays an important role indeveloping self-awareness. Studies have also used brain imaging to show that this region becomes activated in adults who are self-aware.

The Lewis and Brooks-Gunn experiment suggests that self-awareness begins to emerge in children around the age of 18 months, an age that coincides with the rapid growth of spindle cells in the anterior cingulate cortex.

However, one study found that a patient retained self-awareness even with extensive damage to areas of the brain including the insula and the anterior cingulate cortex.

This suggests that these areas of the brain are not required for most aspects of self-awareness and that awareness may instead arise from interactions distributed among brain networks.

Levels of Self-Awareness

Types of Self-Awareness

Self-awareness also takes different forms that can emerge in different situations and settings. Psychologists often break self-awareness down into two different types, either public or private.

Public Self-Awareness

This type emerges when people are aware of how they appear to others. Public self-awareness typically emerges in situations when people are at thecenter of attention.

This type of self-awareness often compels people to adhere tosocial norms. When we are aware that we are being watched and evaluated, we often try to behave in socially acceptable and desirable ways.

Public Self-Awareness ExamplesYou may experience public self-awareness in the workplace, such as when you’re giving an important presentation or when telling a story to a group of friends. Because you are the focus of attention, you become more acutely aware of how others might perceive you.

Public Self-Awareness Examples

You may experience public self-awareness in the workplace, such as when you’re giving an important presentation or when telling a story to a group of friends. Because you are the focus of attention, you become more acutely aware of how others might perceive you.

Private Self-Awareness

This type happens when people become aware of some aspects of themselves, but only in a private way. For example, seeing your face in the mirror is a type of private self-awareness.

Certain strategies can help you build a greater sense of private self-awareness. For example, journaling, meditating, and practicing mindfulness can help you become more aware of your inner thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Private Self-Awareness ExamplesFeeling your stomach lurch when you realize you forgot to study for an important test or feeling your heart flutter when you see someone you are attracted to are also examples of private self-awareness.

Private Self-Awareness Examples

Feeling your stomach lurch when you realize you forgot to study for an important test or feeling your heart flutter when you see someone you are attracted to are also examples of private self-awareness.

Why Is Self-Awareness Important?

Self-awareness is important because it allows you to reflect on aspects of yourself. As you understand your abilities and tendencies, your self-awareness also allows you to think about how you interact with others and the world around you.

Self-aware people are able to manage their behaviors and adapt to situations. They can accurately evaluate what the situation requires and then modify their actions accordingly.

This can be vital in many areas of life, including your relationships and work. It can also factor in when it comes to personal development. As you become more aware of your strengths and weaknesses, you can take steps to capitalize on the things you are good at and explore ways to improve the areas where you might struggle.

How to Improve Your Self-Awareness

So how do you grow self-awareness? There are many ways you can practice being present with yourself and your emotions, which, in turn, can help improve your self-awareness.

Meditation

Meditationcan be an especially useful practice because you don’t have to worry aboutchanginganything—simplynoticingwhat happens during a meditation can bring greater awareness of your thoughts and feelings.

Journaling

Journalingis a practice of self-reflection that can help you notice how you think and behave and even which areas in your life you may wish to improve. It can be a therapeutic way to gain insight into your life events and relationships.

Talk Therapy

During therapy—such ascognitive behavioral therapy(CBT)—a therapist works with you to address negative thought patterns or behaviors.

By understanding the underlying cause of your negative thoughts, for instance, you’re in a more advantageous position to change them and usehealthy coping mechanismsinstead.

Develop Your Emotional Intelligence

Self-awareness andemotional intelligence(EQ) go hand in hand. EQ refers to a person’s ability to perceive their own emotions and those of others. Someone with ahigh EQcan effectively respond to emotions withempathyandcompassion.

Try Our EQ Test

Our fast and freeEQ testcan help you determine whether or not your responses to certain situations in life indicate a high level of emotional intelligence:

When Self-Awareness Leads to Self-Consciousness

Sometimes, people can become overly self-aware and veer into what is known asself-consciousness.Have you ever felt like everyone was watching you, judging your actions, and waiting to see what you will do next? This heightened state of self-awareness can leave you feeling awkward and nervous in some instances.

In many cases, these feelings of self-consciousness are only temporary and arise when we are “in the spotlight.” For some people, however, excessive self-consciousness can reflect a chronic condition such associal anxiety disorder.

While self-awareness plays a critical role in how we understand ourselves and how we relate to others and the world, excessive self-consciousness can result in challenges such as anxiety andstress.

If you struggle with self-consciousness, discuss your symptoms with a doctor or mental health professional to learn more about what you can do to cope with these feelings.

Frequently Asked QuestionsBeing self-aware is all about having an understanding of your own thoughts, feelings, values, beliefs, and actions. It means that you understand who you are, what you want, how you feel, and why you do the things that you do.There are many different ways to think about self-awareness, but four keys that are often mentioned included mindfulness, self-compassion, reflection, and feedback.Mindfulness allows people to become more aware of themselves in the present, while compassion allows them to do so without passing judgment on themselves. Reflection and feedback allow people to take what they have learned and improve themselves in order to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.The five elements of self-awarenesses are:Consciousness: This means being aware of your internal experiences, including your emotions and thoughts.Self-knowledge: This element is focused on your understanding of who you are, including your beliefs, values, and motivations.Emotional intelligence: This element is focused on the ability to understand and manage emotions.Self-acceptance: This aspect is centered on accepting who you are and showing yourself compassion and kindness.Self-reflection: This element of self-awareness involves being able to think deeply about your feelings, thoughts, and goals in order to gain an even better understanding of who you are and your place in the world.

Being self-aware is all about having an understanding of your own thoughts, feelings, values, beliefs, and actions. It means that you understand who you are, what you want, how you feel, and why you do the things that you do.

There are many different ways to think about self-awareness, but four keys that are often mentioned included mindfulness, self-compassion, reflection, and feedback.Mindfulness allows people to become more aware of themselves in the present, while compassion allows them to do so without passing judgment on themselves. Reflection and feedback allow people to take what they have learned and improve themselves in order to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

There are many different ways to think about self-awareness, but four keys that are often mentioned included mindfulness, self-compassion, reflection, and feedback.

Mindfulness allows people to become more aware of themselves in the present, while compassion allows them to do so without passing judgment on themselves. Reflection and feedback allow people to take what they have learned and improve themselves in order to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

The five elements of self-awarenesses are:Consciousness: This means being aware of your internal experiences, including your emotions and thoughts.Self-knowledge: This element is focused on your understanding of who you are, including your beliefs, values, and motivations.Emotional intelligence: This element is focused on the ability to understand and manage emotions.Self-acceptance: This aspect is centered on accepting who you are and showing yourself compassion and kindness.Self-reflection: This element of self-awareness involves being able to think deeply about your feelings, thoughts, and goals in order to gain an even better understanding of who you are and your place in the world.

The five elements of self-awarenesses are:

12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rochat, P.Five levels of self-awareness as they unfold early in life.Consciousness and Cognition. 2003;12(4):717-31. doi:10.1016/S1053-8100(03)00081-3Lewis M, Minar NJ.Self-recognition and emotional knowledge.Eur J Dev Psychol. 2022;19(3):319-342. doi:10.1080/17405629.2021.1890578Moeller SJ, Goldstein RZ.Impaired self-awareness in human addiction: deficient attribution of personal relevance.Trends Cogn Sci(Regul Ed). 2014;18(12):635-41. PMID: 25278368Philippi CL, Feinstein JS, Khalsa SS, et al.Preserved self-awareness following extensive bilateral brain damage to the insula, anterior cingulate, and medial prefrontal cortices. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(8):e38413. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0038413Rochat P.Layers of awareness in development.Developmental Review. 2015;38:122-145. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2015.07.009Sutton A.Measuring the effects of self-awareness: Construction of the self-awareness outcomes questionnaire.Eur J Psychol. 2016;12(4):645-658. doi:10.5964/ejop.v12i4.1178Xiao Q, Yue C, He W, Yu JY.The mindful self: A mindfulness-enlightened self-view.Front Psychol. 2017;8:1752. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01752Pena‐Silva RA, Velasco‐Castro JM, Matsingos C, Jaramillo‐Rincon SX.Journaling as an effective tool to promote metacognition and enhance study methods in a pharmacology course, during and after the pandemic.FASEB J. 2022;36(Suppl 1):10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R4840. doi:10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R4840Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.BioPsychoSocial Med.2021;15(1). doi:10.1186/s13030-021-00219-wSerrat O.Understanding and developing emotional intelligence.Knowledge Solutions.2017:329-339. doi:10.1007/978-981-10-0983-9_37Dasilveira A, Desouza ML, Gomes WB.Self-consciousness concept and assessment in self-report measures.Front Psychol. 2015;6:930. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00930Stein DJ.Social anxiety disorder and the psychobiology of self-consciousness.Front Hum Neurosci. 2015;9:489. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00489

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rochat, P.Five levels of self-awareness as they unfold early in life.Consciousness and Cognition. 2003;12(4):717-31. doi:10.1016/S1053-8100(03)00081-3Lewis M, Minar NJ.Self-recognition and emotional knowledge.Eur J Dev Psychol. 2022;19(3):319-342. doi:10.1080/17405629.2021.1890578Moeller SJ, Goldstein RZ.Impaired self-awareness in human addiction: deficient attribution of personal relevance.Trends Cogn Sci(Regul Ed). 2014;18(12):635-41. PMID: 25278368Philippi CL, Feinstein JS, Khalsa SS, et al.Preserved self-awareness following extensive bilateral brain damage to the insula, anterior cingulate, and medial prefrontal cortices. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(8):e38413. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0038413Rochat P.Layers of awareness in development.Developmental Review. 2015;38:122-145. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2015.07.009Sutton A.Measuring the effects of self-awareness: Construction of the self-awareness outcomes questionnaire.Eur J Psychol. 2016;12(4):645-658. doi:10.5964/ejop.v12i4.1178Xiao Q, Yue C, He W, Yu JY.The mindful self: A mindfulness-enlightened self-view.Front Psychol. 2017;8:1752. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01752Pena‐Silva RA, Velasco‐Castro JM, Matsingos C, Jaramillo‐Rincon SX.Journaling as an effective tool to promote metacognition and enhance study methods in a pharmacology course, during and after the pandemic.FASEB J. 2022;36(Suppl 1):10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R4840. doi:10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R4840Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.BioPsychoSocial Med.2021;15(1). doi:10.1186/s13030-021-00219-wSerrat O.Understanding and developing emotional intelligence.Knowledge Solutions.2017:329-339. doi:10.1007/978-981-10-0983-9_37Dasilveira A, Desouza ML, Gomes WB.Self-consciousness concept and assessment in self-report measures.Front Psychol. 2015;6:930. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00930Stein DJ.Social anxiety disorder and the psychobiology of self-consciousness.Front Hum Neurosci. 2015;9:489. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00489

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rochat, P.Five levels of self-awareness as they unfold early in life.Consciousness and Cognition. 2003;12(4):717-31. doi:10.1016/S1053-8100(03)00081-3Lewis M, Minar NJ.Self-recognition and emotional knowledge.Eur J Dev Psychol. 2022;19(3):319-342. doi:10.1080/17405629.2021.1890578Moeller SJ, Goldstein RZ.Impaired self-awareness in human addiction: deficient attribution of personal relevance.Trends Cogn Sci(Regul Ed). 2014;18(12):635-41. PMID: 25278368Philippi CL, Feinstein JS, Khalsa SS, et al.Preserved self-awareness following extensive bilateral brain damage to the insula, anterior cingulate, and medial prefrontal cortices. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(8):e38413. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0038413Rochat P.Layers of awareness in development.Developmental Review. 2015;38:122-145. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2015.07.009Sutton A.Measuring the effects of self-awareness: Construction of the self-awareness outcomes questionnaire.Eur J Psychol. 2016;12(4):645-658. doi:10.5964/ejop.v12i4.1178Xiao Q, Yue C, He W, Yu JY.The mindful self: A mindfulness-enlightened self-view.Front Psychol. 2017;8:1752. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01752Pena‐Silva RA, Velasco‐Castro JM, Matsingos C, Jaramillo‐Rincon SX.Journaling as an effective tool to promote metacognition and enhance study methods in a pharmacology course, during and after the pandemic.FASEB J. 2022;36(Suppl 1):10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R4840. doi:10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R4840Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.BioPsychoSocial Med.2021;15(1). doi:10.1186/s13030-021-00219-wSerrat O.Understanding and developing emotional intelligence.Knowledge Solutions.2017:329-339. doi:10.1007/978-981-10-0983-9_37Dasilveira A, Desouza ML, Gomes WB.Self-consciousness concept and assessment in self-report measures.Front Psychol. 2015;6:930. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00930Stein DJ.Social anxiety disorder and the psychobiology of self-consciousness.Front Hum Neurosci. 2015;9:489. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00489

Rochat, P.Five levels of self-awareness as they unfold early in life.Consciousness and Cognition. 2003;12(4):717-31. doi:10.1016/S1053-8100(03)00081-3

Lewis M, Minar NJ.Self-recognition and emotional knowledge.Eur J Dev Psychol. 2022;19(3):319-342. doi:10.1080/17405629.2021.1890578

Moeller SJ, Goldstein RZ.Impaired self-awareness in human addiction: deficient attribution of personal relevance.Trends Cogn Sci(Regul Ed). 2014;18(12):635-41. PMID: 25278368

Philippi CL, Feinstein JS, Khalsa SS, et al.Preserved self-awareness following extensive bilateral brain damage to the insula, anterior cingulate, and medial prefrontal cortices. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(8):e38413. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0038413

Rochat P.Layers of awareness in development.Developmental Review. 2015;38:122-145. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2015.07.009

Sutton A.Measuring the effects of self-awareness: Construction of the self-awareness outcomes questionnaire.Eur J Psychol. 2016;12(4):645-658. doi:10.5964/ejop.v12i4.1178

Xiao Q, Yue C, He W, Yu JY.The mindful self: A mindfulness-enlightened self-view.Front Psychol. 2017;8:1752. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01752

Pena‐Silva RA, Velasco‐Castro JM, Matsingos C, Jaramillo‐Rincon SX.Journaling as an effective tool to promote metacognition and enhance study methods in a pharmacology course, during and after the pandemic.FASEB J. 2022;36(Suppl 1):10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R4840. doi:10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R4840

Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive–behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.BioPsychoSocial Med.2021;15(1). doi:10.1186/s13030-021-00219-w

Serrat O.Understanding and developing emotional intelligence.Knowledge Solutions.2017:329-339. doi:10.1007/978-981-10-0983-9_37

Dasilveira A, Desouza ML, Gomes WB.Self-consciousness concept and assessment in self-report measures.Front Psychol. 2015;6:930. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00930

Stein DJ.Social anxiety disorder and the psychobiology of self-consciousness.Front Hum Neurosci. 2015;9:489. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00489

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