The Transitory Perception of Self
The adolescent's self-image may at one time be compulsive, compensatory, and unrealistic and at other times insightful and practical. One's self-perception at any given point in time may be determined by some "inner-directed" mood or by some "other-directed" influence. Many adolescents do not recognize the source of their self-perceptions or their transitory nature. They are optimistic or pessimistic, elated or depressed, satisfied or dissatisfied in an all-or-nothing way. They are sometimes able to switch rapidly from one extreme to the other. Since there is some tendency for the adolescent to focus more on problems than on accomplishments, the transitory perception of self is largely negative.
The Social Self
"To see yourself as others see you" mayor may not be valid. At one time, when in an optimistic mood, the adolescent perceives that other people see him in a good light. When depressed, he perceives that others depreciate him. When others think him stupid, or socially inept, there is a tendency for him to amplify his feelings of insecurity: "How could anyone like me?" More positive views on the part of others may enhance his perception of his social self somewhat, but they playa lesser role when he is down. "There are more ways to get feedback from a loused-up socia! situation than from doing things right." This perceptive college freshman may have something in this statement!
