People by and large become what they think about themselves

[Mick Mac]

"People by and large become what they think about themselves"

I read this recently. Any psychologists out there agree with this?

[waynetta]

Go on Mick Mac. What do you think about yourself and is that what you are? :)

[Huguenot]

Nature or Nurture etc.

[PeckhamRose]

I think I'm fabulous.

I hope to become so.

When I was a teenager I thought I was fat. And now I am! So that works then.

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I think I'm gorgeous, therefore I am

[computedshorty]

.

[KalamityKel]

I'm sure I dont resemble a melon...

[waynetta]

Too much naval gazing going on in this thread for my liking. Here's a chimp's tea party to lighten things up.

http://www.andreadaly.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/chimp-tea.jpg

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Are you a vampire, c.shorty?

[Mick Mac]

waynetta Wrote:

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> Go on Mick Mac. What do you think about yourself

> and is that what you are? :)

I think I'm a spreadsheet tapper.

[waynetta]

Maybe if you keep thinking you're a golfer you'll become one

[DJKillaQueen]

So if I think I'm Cheryl Cole for long enough I'll become her?

[KalamityKel]

I wouldn't wish that on anyone!

[Brendan]

computedshorty Wrote:

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> I must be as I cant see myself in the mirror.

Same thing happened to me once. Turned out my wife had been doing some rearranging and moved the mirror.

Similar thing happened when she tidied my wardrobe and I went to work without my trousers.

Or was that one a dream.

[PeckhamRose]

It is about becoming what you think about yourself.

So if you think you have the talent and hair and accent of Cheryl Cole without actually being her...

No, still wouldn't want that.

I think of myself as lucky. Some days with the word UN in front. But this seriously is a heavy question and I would like to hear some philosophers' views about this, too, but I don't think we have any on this site! Lots of amateur ones tho!

[ianr]

>I would like to hear some philosophers' views about this

Funnily enough, the quotation is, at least on the web, mainly attributed to William James, who counts as both philosopher (pragmatism) and psychologist. I couldn't find confirmation that this one is genuinely his, but there's a fair selection of some others of his here, many of the same ilk. They do come across as a bit cracker-barrel philosopher in bulk, but there's a lot more to him than that. I think I've a book somewhere of his more popular lectures. I'll try to find it for comparison.

[VeryBerryCherry]

In terms of the positive thinking or PMA aspect of this; isn't that the whole basis of the theory. The key to becoming what/where/who you want to be must be continually reinforced visually in the mind.

[Jah Lush]

Unless you're seriously deluded it isn't going to happen.

[Ridgley]

I think I have a big mouth, must be

[giggirl]

Interesting thead Mick Mack. I don't know what to think of it. When I was a teenager I was completely absorbed by the Talking Heads. See below some lyrics from the Remain In Light album. I haven't thought about this song for well over 20 years.

Lyrics to Seen And Not Seen :

He would see faces in movies, on T.V., in magazines, and in books...He thought that some of these faces might be right for him...And through the years, by keeping an ideal facial structure fixed in his mind...Or somewhere in the back of his mind...That he might, by force of will, cause his face to approach those of his ideal...The change would be very subtle...It might take ten years or so...Gradually his face would change its shape...A more hooked nose...Wider, thinner lips...Beady eyes...A larger forehead.

He imagined that this was an ability he shared with most other people...They had also molded their faces according to some ideal...Maybe they imagined that their new face would better suit their personality...Or maybe they imagined that their personality would be forced to change to fit the new appearance...This is why first impressions are often correct...Although some people might have made mistakes...They may have arrived at an appearance that bears no relationship to them...They may have picked an ideal appearance based on some childish whim or momentary impulse...Some may have gotten half-way there, and then changed their minds.

He wonders if he too might have made a similar mistake.

[Mick Mac]

That's brilliant GG. Make me think about Tony Blair's smile and underlying personality.

[????]

I think you're right Mick - I've always thought of myself as an increasingly moody old git trying to keep the booze intake down and the 'old fella' up

[Mick Mac]

They tend to go together Quids. Will we be expecting a family additon in nine months following your recent bout of water drinking?

[woofmarkthedog]

Well..

I'm more concerned with the stopping at the point of arrival, the place when we think or feel we've achieved the inner self portrait. The point where we freeze time & try to maintain image or perceived persona from thereon in. I see old bikers, ted's & glamour queens. I see majorca tanned men & puffed out bodybuilders, all grasping to a perfect " frame " of the ideal & possibly cinematic idea of themselves. The self delusion is what gets me. I'm more interested in the evolution of the self, the journey of where we're at, where I'm going next. Today I'm a parent of two boy's, I like me & I'm alright but it won't last so I'm interested in where I go next

Really...

W**F

[Captain Scarlet]

I think,therefore I am.