Self Authorship Essay

Definition of Self-Authorship
Baxter Magolda’s defines her theory of self-authorship as “the capacity to internally define a coherent belief system and identity that coordinates engagement in mutual relations with the larger world (2004, p.xxii). However, my ideal definition of self-authorship is a lifelong process in which you discover your individuality in order to create an understanding of yourself and the relationship you have with others. It is the process in which we evaluate how to define ourselves through our values, beliefs, and views of the world. It is the breakthrough point in our lives where we utilize the information we have absorbed from our childhood to creating our own understanding to reevaluate our perspective of reality.

The first phase is to follow external formulas. Within this phase, you conform to authorities and rules. You will develop an understanding of what others expect of you and develop knowledge on the different perspectives others have. The second phase to achieve self-authorship is crossroads. At this phase, people may begin to take stands that differ from what they have absorbed throughout their life. They become mindful of constructing their own perspective rather than following through others. The third phase is becoming the author of your own life. At this time, you begin to decide your beliefs and to live by them. You set out your priorities that guide your decisions and the relationships in your life. The final phase is to develop an internal foundation. At this point you have reached a point of self-authorship, you have developed concrete grounds to your beliefs and values and follow them. As a first-year college student, I feel as if I am at the first phase of self-authorship. I am expected to go to college, get involved with school, get good grades, and to withhold great maturity in everything I do. I seek the acceptance from those around me and do nothing more than what is

The epistemological concept questions “how do I know?” The epistemological dimension is how we view the assumptions of knowledge to decide what to believe (Marcia, 2008, p2). The way in which information is delivered affects how it perceived by those who receive the information. Intrapersonal dimension is how we chose and adopt the values and beliefs that we decide to live by (Marcia, 2008, p8). For example, as a student in the first phase of self-authorship, I seek my values and beliefs according to seeking acceptance from those around me, while others who may be further down the process chose their values and beliefs according to who they are. Interpersonal dimensions is the connection between yourself and with others (Marcia, 2008, p9). It is the understanding of others views and developing a mature and respectful way to interact with everyone. “Complex epistemological, intrapersonal, and interpersonal development is necessary for adults to build complex belief systems, to form a coherent sense of identity, and to develop authentic, mature relations with diverse others (Baxter Magolda, 2001).” Within this course, I believe that we have learned a bit of all of three dimensions. Reading the