Developing a Positive Identity

Chapter 7Lesson #2Pages 178-183

Developing a Positive Identity

• Objective 1: Define developmental assets and how they can keep you from risky behaviors.

• Objective 2: Construct strategies for developing a healthy identity.

• Objective 3: Correlate how self-esteem and a positive outlook benefit your mental/emotional health.

Your Personal Identity(pg. 178)

• Personal Identity– Your sense of yourself as a unique

individual• Like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, including

your;– Interests– Likes and dislikes– Talents and Abilities– Values and beliefs– Goals

Developmental Assets

• The building blocks of development that help young people grow up as healthy, caring and responsible individuals.

• Developmental Assets include;– Support– Empowerment– Boundaries and Expectations– Constructive Use of Time– Commitment to Learning– Positive Values– Social Competencies– Positive Identity

• Page 179 Figure 7.3

Answer on your own paper

• Which of these Developmental assets Do you consider especially important? (it can be more than one.

• WHY?????????

What it takes to Gain a Healthy Identity (pg. 181)– 1) Recognize your strengths and weaknesses

• Take pride in your strengths and accomplishments• Set goals for accomplishing your weaknesses

– Activity: Partner up and list 3 different strengths you feel your partner has

– List 3 of your weaknesses. THEN, what are you doing to improve your weakness?

– 2) Demonstrate positive values• Guide your actions and influence the decisions you

make. Ex: show honesty, comfort a sad friend, being trustworthy, etc.

– Activity: Share a story with your partner when you demonstrated one of your positive values and how you felt afterwards.

Healthy Identity

– 3) Develop a purpose in your life• Framework for your mental health as your grow• Sense of purpose = goals and achieving them

– Activity: Share one long term goal with your partner and WHY you want to achieve it. Will the why bring you happiness? Discuss.

- 4) Form meaningful relationships• Helps develop a sense of purpose in your life• Helps build confidence and a sense of security or

belonging– Activity: Share with your partner how a person

can be a positive influence on you and how they could be a negative influence on you.

Healthy Identity

• 5) Contribute to the community– Provides services and resources to meet your needs– Giving back gives you a sense of accomplishment

• 6) Avoid unhealthy risk behaviors– A normal part of life, helps define and develop you– Healthful risk-taking has a positive effect on

developing who you are as a person– Unhealthy risks can be dangerous

Self-Esteem and Positive Outlooks

• Self-Esteem- Comes from the understanding that you are a unique and valuable human being.

• When you have a healthy identity, you will experience increased self-esteem and a higher level of mental/emotional health.

• Having a positive outlook is also related to your general level of wellness

Working Toward High Self-Esteem (pg. 182)

• People with high self-esteem….– Take responsibility for their behavior– Generally have a positive outlook on life– Like and accept who they are overall– Try to learn from their successes as well as from their

mistakes– Build and maintain healthy relationships

• To improve self-esteem…– Think of appropriate ways to share your positive

attributes– Engage in behaviors that will promote your health

Realistic Patterns of Thinking

• To increase your self-esteem and develop a positive outlook on life, its important to see events REALISTICALLY.

• Constructive Criticism– Non-hostile comments that point out problems and

encourage improvement

• Analyzing Self-Talk– Replace negative messages with constructive

criticism. If you make a mistake, tell yourself everyone makes mistakes and LEARN from your mistake.

– Be able to tell yourself “Good Job!”

Interactive study guide

• http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/dl/free/0078726549/359990/InterActCh7Ls2.html