Self-concept is the image we have of ourselves. This image develops in a number of ways, including through our interaction with important people in our lives. Learn more about self-concept, including whether it can be changed and a few theories related to self-identity and self-perception. Self-concept is how we perceive our behaviors, abilities, and unique characteristics. For example, beliefs such as "I am a good friend" or "I am a kind person" are part of an overall self-concept. Our self-perception is important because it affects our motivations, attitudes, and behaviors. It also impacts how we feel about the person we think we are, including whether we are competent or if we have self-worth. Self-concept tends to be more malleable when we're younger and still going through the process of self-discovery and identity formation. As we age and learn who we are and what's important to us, these self-perceptions become much more detailed and organized.
At its most basic, self-concept is a collection of beliefs one holds about oneself and the responses of others. It embodies the answer to the question: "Who am I?" Humanist psychologist Carl Rogers believed that self-concept is made up of three different parts:
Self-concept is not always aligned with reality. When it is aligned, your self-concept is said to be congruent. If there is a mismatch between how you see yourself (your self-image) and who you wish you were (your ideal self), your self-concept is incongruent. This incongruence can negatively impact self-esteem. Rogers believed that incongruence has its earliest roots in childhood. When parents place conditions on their affection for their children (only expressing love if children "earn it" through certain behaviors and living up to the parents' expectations), children begin to distort the memories of experiences that leave them feeling unworthy of their parents' love. Unconditional love, on the other hand, helps to foster congruence. Children who experience such love—also referred to as family love—feel no need to continually distort their memories in order to believe that other people will love and accept them as they are. Self-concept develops, in part, through our interaction with others. In addition to family members and close friends, other people in our lives can also contribute to our self-identity. For instance, one study found that the more a teacher believes in a high-performing student's abilities, the higher that student's self-concept. (Interestingly, no such association was found with lower-performing students.)
Self-concept can also be developed through the stories we hear. As an example, one study found that female readers who were "deeply transported" into a story about a leading character with a traditional gender role had a more feminist self-concept than those who weren't as moved by the story.
The media plays a role in self-concept development as well—both mass media and social media. When these media promote certain ideals, we're more likely to make those ideals our own. And the more often these ideals are presented, the more it affects our self-identity and self-perception. Self-concept is not static, meaning that it can change. Our environment plays a role in this process, with places that hold a lot of meaning to us actively contributing to our future self-concept both through the way we relate these environments to ourselves and how society relates to them. Self-concept can also change based on the people with whom we interact. This is particularly true with regard to individuals in our lives who are in leadership roles as they can impact the collective self (the self in social groups) and the relational self (the self in relationships). In some cases, a medical diagnosis can change self-concept by helping people understand why they feel the way they do—such as someone receiving an autism diagnosis later in life, finally providing clarity as to why they felt different. As with many topics within psychology, a number of other theorists have proposed different ways of thinking about self-concept. Social psychologist Henri Tajfel developed social identity theory, which states that self-concept is composed of two key parts:
This theory states that our social identity influences our self-concept, thus impacting our emotions and behaviors. If we're playing sports, for instance, and our team loses a game, we might feel sad for the team (emotion) or act out against the winning team (behavior). Psychologist Bruce A. Bracken had a slightly different theory and believed that self-concept was multidimensional, consisting of six independent traits:
In 1992, Bracken developed the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale, a comprehensive assessment that evaluates each of these six elements of self-concept in children and adolescents.
Hosted by Editor-in-Chief and therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast shares how you can be kinder to yourself. Frequently Asked Questions
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