Self-awareness is one of the first components of the self-concept to emerge. While self-awareness is something that is central to each and every one of us, it is not something that we are acutely aware of at every moment of every day. Instead, self-awareness becomes woven into the fabric of who we are and emerges at different points depending upon the situation and our personality. We are not born with self-awareness, however.

Researchers have demonstrated that the awareness of ourselves begins to emerge at around one year of age and becomes much more developed by around 18 months of age.

How Do Experts Define Self-Awareness?

When Does Self-Awareness Emerge?

Lewis and Brooks-Gun (1979) conducted some interesting research on how self-awareness develops. The researchers applied a red dot to an infant's nose and then held the child up to a mirror. Children who recognize themselves in the mirror will reach for their own noses rather than the reflection in the mirror, indicating that they have at least some self-awareness. Lewis and Brooks-Gun found that almost no children under one year of age would reach for their own nose rather than the reflection in the mirror. About 25 percent of the infants between 15 and 18 months reached for their own noses, while about 70 percent of those between 21 and 24 months did so.

It is important to note that the Lewis and Brooks-Gun study only indicates an infant's visual self-awareness; children might actually possess other forms of self-awareness even at this early point in life. Researchers Lewis, Sullivan, Stanger, and Weiss (1989) suggest that the expression of emotions involves self-awareness as well as an ability to think about oneself in relation to other people.

How Does Self-Awareness Develop?

Researchers believe that an area of the brain known as the anterior cingulate, a region of the frontal lobe, plays an important role in the development of self-awareness. The Lewis and Brooks-Gun experiment indicates that self-awareness begins to emerge in children around the age of 18 months, an age that coincides with the rapid growth of spindle cells in the anterior cingulate. Researchers have also used brain imaging to show that this region becomes activated in adults who are self-aware.

Types of Self-Awareness

Psychologists often break self-awareness down into two different types, either public or private.

Self-Consciousness: A Heightened State of Self-Awareness

Sometimes, people can become overly self-aware and veer into what is known as self-consciousness. Have you ever felt like everyone was watching you, judging your actions, and waiting to see what you will do next? This heightened state of self-awareness can leave you feeling awkward and nervous in some instances. In a lot of cases, these feelings of self-consciousness are only temporary and arise in situations when we are "in the spotlight." For some people, however, self-consciousness can become a chronic condition.

People who are privately self-conscious have a higher level of private self-awareness, which can be both a good and bad thing. These people tend to be more aware of their feelings and beliefs, and are therefore more likely to stick to their personal values. However, they are also more likely to suffer from negative health consequences such as increased stress and anxiety. They sometimes tend to ruminate on events and feelings and may experience more depression.

People who are publicly self-conscious have a higher level of public self-awareness. They tend to think more about how other people view them and are often concerned that other people might be judging them based upon their looks or their actions. As a result, these individuals tend to stick to group norms and try to avoid situations in which they might look bad or feel embarrassed.

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References:

Crisp, R. J. & Turner, R. N. (2010). Essential social psychology. London: Sage Publications.

Froming, W.J., Corley, E.B., and Rinker, L. (1990). The influence of public self consciousness, and the audience's characteristic on withdrawal from embarrassing situations. Journal of Personality, 58,(4), 603-622.

Lewis, M. & Brooks-Gunn, J. (1978). Self knowledge and emotional development. In M. Lewis & L. Rosenblum (Eds.), The development of affect: The genesis of behavior, 1 (pp. 205-226). New York: Plenum Press.

Mullen, B. & Suls, J. (1982). Know thyself: Stressful life changes and the ameliorative effect of private self-consciousness. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 18, 43-55.

The rest is here:
What Is Self-Awareness? How Does It Develop?