Question

Using 250-500 words, respond to the following:

From your perspective, how does the material in your textbook on the topics of self-presentation and social perception relate to the passage from Matthew 7:3-5, in which Jesus asks: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eyes when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Answer 1

Self-presentation related to the concept of social desirability wherein one adopts the ways of being that are socially accepted in order to create an impression on those around. This is similar to Jung’s concept of persona wherein individuals put on ‘masks’ in different settings and behave in alignment to what works in that particular setting for self-centred goals. Social perception plays a huge role in impacting how one behaves in the presence of others. Right from childhood, one is bombarded with both implicit and explicit messages with regard to acceptable and non-acceptable behaviours by the larger society. These are inculcated in the form of values, belief systems and perceptions that build an individual’s lens through which they approach situations. In the given passage highlighted by Jesus, the same self-centred attempt towards ‘impression formation’, hypocrisy and satisfaction of both Id and Superego though certain unethical ways of the ‘ego’ are hinted at. In an attempt to make another person see the world in a certain way & adopt the society’s ways of being, we often forget about our deviations from the same virtues. One may not be the best version of their own self (engaging in cheating & deceit for personal goals at convenient times), but shape their child’s perception in a way that sees these practices as unethical or almost sinful. Self-reflection & striving towards own individuation should therefore be the goal before one aims at building another life. Practicing what is preached in one's own life is the key to this theme.