Evolution of Self-Awareness and the Cultural Emergence of Academic and Non-academic Self-Concepts

Abstract

Schooling is ubiquitous in the modern world and academic development is now a critical aspect of preparation for adulthood. A step back in time to pre-modern societies and an examination of life in remaining traditional societies today reveals that universal formal schooling is an historically recent phenomenon. This evolutionary and historical recency has profound implications for understanding academic development, including how instructional practices modify evolved or biological primary abilities (e.g., spoken language) to create evolutionarily novel or biologically secondary academic competencies (e.g., reading). We propose the development of secondary abilities promotes the emergence of academic self-concepts that in turn are supported by evolved systems for self-awareness and self-knowledge. Unlike some forms of self-knowledge (e.g., relative physical abilities) that appear to be universal and central to many people’s overall self-concept, the relative importance of academic self-concepts are expected to be dependent on explicit social and cultural supports for their valuation. These culturally contingent self-concepts are contrasted with universal social and physical self-concepts, with implications for understanding variation students’ relative valuation of academic competencies and their motivations to engage in academic learning.

The impact of entrepreneurship self-concept, work motivation, and risk taking on human resource department performance and business overall performance at Jordan private universities

“…The results of this study lend credence to the idea that high levels of individual self-concept have a beneficial effect on human resource performance. Similar results have been found in other research in this area (Bruton et al, 2023;Nisula & Olander, 2023;Ismail et al, 2022;Palenzuela et al, 2022;Geary & Xu, 2022;Perinrlli et al, 2022).…”

“…A robust self-concept in entrepreneurship is distinguished by a high level of self-belief, a favorable attitude toward taking risks, and the capacity to recognize and grab chances (Palenzuela et al, 2022). This self-concept is a key component for anyone who aspires to become an entrepreneur because it determines an individual's propensity to journey into the unknown, endure in the face of adversity, and actively seek inventive solutions to issues (Geary & Xu, 2022). Self-perception as an entrepreneur is critical to the success of both the entrepreneur and the enterprise in which they are involved (Perinelli et al, 2022).…”

“…It is possible to cultivate it through education, the guidance of mentors, and the participation in entrepreneurial activities (Perinelli et al, 2022). Individuals who participate in educational programs that place an emphasis on problem-solving, creative thinking, and taking risks may find it easier to believe in their own potential as entrepreneurs (Geary & Xu, 2022). In a similar vein, receiving advice and motivation from an experienced businessperson who acts as a mentor can be quite beneficial (Palenzuela et al, 2022).…”

“…A motivated workforce not only leads to enhanced individual and team performance, but it also contributes to a more innovative and dynamic organizational environment, which is better able to adapt to changing market conditions and seize new possibilities (Palenzuela et al, 2022). This is because an innovative and dynamic organizational environment is better equipped to take advantage of new opportunities (Geary & Xu, 2022). In addition, the willingness to take risks is an essential component of an entrepreneurial mindset, and the significance of this trait for businesses is difficult to overestimate (Tian et al, 2022).…”

The free will capacity: A uniquely human adaption.

“…Kesebir et al (2010) also called for a more uniquely human-focused theoretical perspective, which goes beyond a “mammal-centric” perspective (see also Baumeister, 2014). If Homo sapiens is truly the “wise” primate, then evolutionary scholars may need to better understand the broad cognitive capability that enables humans to draw multiple possible futures into their minds, then decide which one to (try to) make come true (Geary & Xu, 2022). Indeed, evolutionary perspectives may be especially useful for understanding the operation of FW because such perspectives provide important criteria for identifying wise (i.e., adaptively optimized) versus unwise (maladaptive) choice making (Churchland & Suhler, 2014).…”