The influence of significant others on the formation of own self-image

Abstract

This study aims to verify how other persons influential for the formation of own self-image change during the period from pre-adolescence to early adolescence, and what sorts of dynamism operating among the self-image, self-image assumed by others (reflected self-image: RS), and the images of others (objective self-image: O). A SCT questionnaire was administered to altogether 370 students of both sexes in 4th, 5th and 6th grades and freshman and sophomore year of junior high school. The significant others were identified on the bases of similarity between individual own self-image and ones assumed by others. All descriptions were classified as positive, negative or other, and the inter-relationships among them were examined. Findings were as follows: 1) Though the significant others in this period did not necessarily shift from their parents to chums, males were most susceptive to others' influence in the 6th grade, while females seemed to have already established their own self-images insusceptive to others by this age. 2) The significance of chums was confirmed for males throughout their school years. For females, however, no such trend was found, suggesting that any particular significant person would either appear in a later year or never be identified.