Self Consciousness

Self-consciousness refers to a psychological state in which an person is aware of themselves as a distinct entity, separate from their surroundings, and possesses a sense of self-awareness. It involves the ability to reflect upon and recognize one's thoughts, emotions, and actions, as well as to perceive oneself as an object of observation and evaluation by others.

Self-consciousness is a fundamental aspect of human cognition and plays a significant role in shaping our experiences, behavior, and social interactions. It is believed to emerge during early childhood as part of the development of self-identity and continues to evolve throughout a person's lifetime

Self-consciousness encompasses various aspects, including self-perception, self-reflection, self-evaluation, and self-awareness. It involves the ability to introspect and engage in self-analysis, examining one's thoughts, beliefs, desires, and intentions. It also entails being aware of one's own body and physical presence in space.

Self-consciousness also involves a social dimension, as individuals may become aware of how they are perceived by others and adjust their behavior accordingly. This can lead to feelings of self-consciousness in social situations, where people may feel concerned about being judged or evaluated by others.

While self-consciousness can influence self-esteem, they are separate concepts. Self-consciousness refers to the awareness of oneself, while self-esteem relates to one's evaluation and feelings of self-worth. 

Research suggests atypical self-consciousness in autism. 

• This study examined self-referential cognition and empathy in individuals with autism using self-report questionnaires. The findings suggested that autistics may have reduced self-referential processing and difficulties with empathy (1)
• Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), this study investigated self-referential processing . The results indicated altered neural activation in brain regions associated with self-representation, suggesting atypical self-consciousness in autism (2).
• This longitudinal study explored self-recognition and self-consciousness in children with autism using tasks such as mirror self-recognition and pretend play. The findings suggested delayed development of self-recognition and reduced engagement in pretend play in children with autism (3).
• This review article proposed the social motivation theory of autism, which emphasizes the influence of altered self-consciousness on social behavior and social cognition in autistics. It provides insights into how self-consciousness is linked to the broader social challenges observed in autism (4).

As always research on autism is not set in stone and is still evolving.

References

(1) Lombardo, M. V., Barnes, J. L., Wheelwright, S. J., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2007). Self-referential cognition and empathy in autism. PLoS One, 2(9), e883. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000883

(2) Lombardo, M. V., Chakrabarti, B., Bullmore, E. T., Sadek, S. A., Pasco, G., Wheelwright, S. J., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2010). Atypical neural self-representation in autism. Brain, 133(2), 611-624. doi: 10.1093/brain/awp306

(3) Nielsen, M., Suddendorf, T., & Dissanayake, C. (2006). Pretend play, mirror self-recognition, and imitation: A longitudinal investigation through the second year. Child Development, 77(3), 700-712. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00902.x

(4) Chevallier, C., Kohls, G., Troiani, V., Brodkin, E. S., & Schultz, R. T. (2012). The social motivation theory of autism. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16(4), 231-239. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2012.02.007