The Chicken or the Egg? Which comes first?
Self-concept (or self-schema) is far more important than given credit for. It is often believed that what we accomplish determines how we feel about ourselves, but it is quite possible the opposite is true.
Clinical Study Findings:
In an 8-week clinical intervention study with 29 cocaine and opioid-dependent clients, Avants, Beitel, and Margolin (2005) found a correlation between a shift in self-schema and drug use and other HIV risk behaviors. The self-schema (the specific beliefs about the self) of addicted individuals was found to be extremely negative, consisting of words such as "selfish, aggressive, evil, impulsive, irresponsible, manipulative and unmerciful". When activated, one's self-schema triggers an automatized repertoire of behaviors, actions, plans, and scripts.
As addicted individuals are more likely to view themselves as "bad" people, the addict self-schema (the way the individual views themselves in light of their addiction) maintains addiction behavior. Assisting addicted individuals in substituting a negative self-schema for a positive self schema provides the foundation for meaningful change and is correlated with change in drug use and HIV risk behaviors.
Real Life Application:
If you have resolutions pining on your doorstep or patterns and behaviors you wish you could alter but have been unable to do so, consider the relationship between your perception of the goal and your self-concept. What words do you use to describe yourself in relation to the as-of-yet not accomplished the goal?
Viewing yourself negatively for not yet achieving the goal maintains the likelihood that you will continue the current pattern. It's not enough to attempt to send the negative self-schema to oblivion; its void must be filled with something, or the negative self-schema will re-emerge. Exchange the negative self-schema for a postive self-schema. To do this:
- Become aware of your self-talk. Example of negative self talk: "If I take on ___ goal, I may fail, and it says something negative about me that I haven't accomplished it / I may fail."
- Practice positive self-talk with yourself and rephrase. Positive self-talk isn't largess; it's acknowledging your humanness. Break your goal into smaller steps if necessary. Positive self talk: "I'd like to reach this goal, and I recognize that any challenge to do so doesn't reflect negatively on me. Instead, it reflects positively that I am undertaking it, and little by little, step after step, I will get there".
- Act towards your objective.
- Reward yourself upon reaching your objective through positive self-affirmation. Part of developing a positive self-schema acknowledges that reaching a goal is not a "should", but something worthy of feeling good about.
Reference
Avants, S. Kelly, Beitel, M., and Margolin, A. (2005). Making the shift from 'addict self' to 'spiritual self':Results from a Stage I study of Spiritual Self-Schema (3-S) therapy for the treatment of addiction and HIV risk behavior. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 8(3), 167-177.
Text and Real Life Application authored by Sara Washburn, Picture by Sara Washburn
Thanks for helping us stay focused. It gets real every morning when the feet hit the floor.
I wonder if this is why the 12 Step Rehab facilities have such a high rate of relapse? And then others like Teen Challenge and Celebrate Recovery have such a high success rate?
Seeing yourself the way God see you and changing your negative self talk?
Hi Greg! Yes it does!!
Missy, good point! I think it's harder to break bad patterns if the basis for changing your negative self talk is not something you really trust or believe.. or if you don't know why you should believe it or trust it.. =)
I love the post... if one takes it to heart and works on it, Im sure they become a better person. Thanks for the post.
If you have ever read The Four Agreements, one of the agreements is be impeccable with your words. Not just to others but particulary what we say to ourselves. Have a Dandy Day! :-)
Freddy, thanks!
Marcia, I haven't read the Four Agreements, but I've heard it highly spoken of. I made note to do so, thanks for the recommendation!
Be impeccable with your words... Hmm... Marcia, I may have to try to do a new thing in honor of that statement. ;-)
Sara, very well said and quite fascinating. What we practice and what we do always seems to be two different things, eh? Some events compel conduct while others serve to facilitate voluntary actions, both pro and con. I guess it all boils down to the guidelines we create for ourselves and whether or not we decide to honor the guidelines created by others. I would probably fail anything resembling a 12 step program because I'd insist on twisting it to conform to my ADD needs. I find people tend to do that when they suspect their personal goals can not be achieved by "available" means. That's usually when the gaming of the system begins because we usually see the observable behavior before we discover the unconscious or hidden motives (LOL).
I love transparent writers. You nailed all your points and it was quite lovely to experience the AHA moment. What a mad cool post, Sara. I am sooooo reblogging this. ;-)
Hi C! Thanks for the re-blog! I think transparency plays a role in "walking" true to what one values. There are many possible offshoots of this research and more research to be done from it. How is it that people who are successful seem to continue to be successful, and those who struggle seem to continue to struggle? People tend to act or live in ways to reaffirm their self-schema. As the research study addressed, self-schema is alterable. Considering the power of self-schema, the danger exists of becoming trapped by past mistakes into belief that those mistakes define the present or future. This is why gossip is harmful and why stigmatizing views by others can be restrictive (along with one's own views).
The flipside of stigma is love (my favorite topic). Love defined as forgiveness, redemption, the old being made new...
Sometimes mindsets are so deeply embedded until freedom is compounded. Liberty from this can only come through supernatural intervention, delivering the captives.
Hi Diane!
I believe it is a supernatural, miraculous event when some one breaks free from addiction or anything else they struggle with... Miracles happening daily, even if they are not recognized as such!
Sara,
Great concepts; I'm reminded of the Words,"as a man (not gender specific) thinks in his heart so is he".
Steve
Hi Steve!
Great quote! Powerful words..!
Great Post! Hope you are having a prosperous year, and looking forward to more posts from you!!!