Influences on Self Concept

Influences on self-concept

Self-image

When you describe yourself to someone you usually use four different ways to describe yourself, your social role, your personality, your physical self and your intellectual abilities. There are three main places where your information about your self-image comes from, one of these being reactions to others; this is when you think about how other people see you, as you interact with people you build up an idea of the type of person you are based upon peoples gestures, words, actions and facial expressions towards yourself.

Another place is social comparison; this is where we compare ourselves to others to build up a picture of who we are, for example when school work is returned you usually want to know how you have done compared to everyone else.

The final place is observing your own behaviour; usually the ability to do this develops as you become more mature. You may not always like the way you behave in certain situations or places and you might try and change it. A lot of health and social care work depends on this ability to be able to be self-reflective.

Self-esteem

Self-esteem is about how you value yourself; it isn’t fixed and can change in different areas of your life. For example you may feel like you are clever because you have always done well in school however you may not be very popular and this could lower your self-esteem.

Self-concept

Self-concept is the knowledge you have about yourself, it is sometimes known as self-awareness. Self-concept is usually known as being based on three things, self-image, ideal self and self-esteem. The way you see yourself and how you feel about it will develop and change through life. It is important to have a sense of yourself because it affects what you say and do towards other people, it can make you feel self-confident or anxious, it can help you lead an enjoyable life or lead you into difficulties, and it can also motivate you to do better at things or stop you...