Self-concept
In the psychology of self, one’s Self-concept (also called self-construction, self-identity, self-perspective or self-structure) is a collection of beliefs about oneself. Generally, self-concept embodies the answer to the question “Who am I?”.
The self-concept is distinguishable from self-awareness, which is the extent to which self-knowledge is defined, consistent, and currently applicable to one’s attitudes and dispositions. Self-concept also differs from self-esteem: self-concept is a cognitive or descriptive component of one’s self (e.g. “I am a fast runner”), while self-esteem is evaluative and opinionated (e.g. “I feel good about being a fast runner”).
Self-concept is made up of one’s self-schemas, and interacts with self-esteem, self-knowledge, and the social self to form the self as a whole. It includes the past, present, and future selves, where future selves (or possible selves) represent individuals’ ideas of what they might become, what they would like to become, or what they are afraid of becoming. Possible selves may function as incentives for certain behaviour.
The perception people have about their past or future selves relates to their perception of their current selves. The temporal self-appraisal theory argues that people have a tendency to maintain a positive self-evaluation by distancing themselves from their negative self and paying more attention to their positive one. In addition, people have a tendency to perceive the past self less favourably (e.g. “I’m better than I used to be”) and the future self more positively (e.g. “I will be better than I am now”).
The concept of “self” in psychology refers to an individual's understanding and perception of their own identity, including their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It’s a dynamic and multifaceted construct that evolves through experiences and interactions with the world. The self-concept, a key aspect of this, encompasses how a person sees themselves, their ideal self, and their self-esteem.
- Self-Concept:
- Definition: Self-concept is the collection of beliefs and ideas a person has about themselves, including their physical attributes, personality traits, social roles, and abilities.
- Components: It can be broken down into different components:
- Self-image: How a person sees themselves physically and mentally.
- Ideal self: The person they aspire to be or would like to be.
- Self-esteem/Self-worth: The value and appreciation a person has for themselves.
- Development: Self-concept develops from early childhood through interactions with family, peers, and society, and continues to evolve throughout life.
- Influence: Self-concept influences a person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and how they interact with others.
- Sources of Self-Concept:
- Looking-glass self: Individuals develop a sense of self based on how they believe others perceive them.
- Self-observation: People observe their own actions, thoughts, and feelings to form their self-concept.
- Social comparisons: Individuals compare themselves to others to understand their own standing and abilities.
- Role assumption: People take on different roles in life (e.g., student, employee, parent) and their self-concept can be influenced by these roles.
Importance of Self-Concept:
- Mental health: A positive and realistic self-concept is linked to better mental health, resilience, and well-being.
- Motivation and behavior: Self-concept influences a person’s motivation, goals, and choices.
- Relationships: Self-concept affects how individuals interact with others and form relationships.
Self-Concept and Adult Learners:
- Adults often develop a self-concept of being self-directed and responsible for their own lives.
- Training or educational situations that challenge this self-concept can lead to resistance or a desire to disengage.
- Understanding this can help educators create learning experiences that build upon and support the learner’s self-concept.
In essence, the concept of self is a complex and dynamic interplay of self-perception, self-esteem, and the influence of social interactions, all of which shape an individual’s identity and behavior.