Defining Self Concept

Defining Self Concept

When one thinks of the self concept is the mental and conceptual awareness and persistent regard that sentient beings hold with regard their own being. Parts of the self concept include; physical, psychological and social attributes and can be influenced by its attitudes, habits, beliefs and ideas. These components can then be turned into the general concept of self-esteem and self-image. Your self-concept can change because you see and understand things differently depending on your feelings, beliefs and attitude. Self awareness is a two-way process as your feelings and beliefs affect your self-concept and the opposite is also true. One would also define self-concept as the understanding we have of our own existence and how we relate to other and to our surroundings. (www.essentialskillsforlife.com)

How is the self-concept developed?

According to an article from essential skills for life, one must possess a positive or healthy self-concept you must: know yourself, love yourself, and be true to oneself.

Today we live in an increasingly complex and multifaceted world. In order to meet the challenges we now face, it is more important than ever to build a solid personal foundation.

It also goes on to denote that to be sure, that a healthy self-concept is more than having high self-esteem. While high self-esteem is important, the term itself can be misleading since self-esteem is largely based on your 'feelings' of self-worth and encompasses your 'beliefs' about being valuable and capable. Developing a healthy self-concept takes deliberate planning and concentrated effort. It takes acknowledging your intrinsic value as a human being, and then working to acquire the skills needed to confront the many challenges and adversities we encounter in life. When you posses a healthy self-concept, nothing can rattle you, or take you off your stride. You are poised, and assured because you know you are equipped to handle whatever comes your way. It consists of your self-image, either positive or negative, at an emotional level. (www.essentialskillsforlife.com)

In James' [1890] conception of the `social self we can find the self is not a `thing in itself,' not a self-contained entity, separated from the environment but a relationship, - often very intense - between a person and those parts of the environment which have personal value and affective significance. This implies that not only significant others (see also Mead, 1934), but also culturally relevant stories and experiences told by these others, are, from an early age onward, part of a developing self [e.g., Bruner, 1986; Sarbin, 1986]. This self is not to be conceived of as an individual placed in a 'preceding' or 'external' history, but it is itself a historical process, that is, an embodiment of a personal