The Self-Concept: What Is Self Concept?

The first unit on our textbook Interactions by Ann Moseley and Jeanette Harris talks about the self-concept. It is hard to find a definition for the self-concept because it is certain beliefs about ethnicity, religion, and personalities combined. This unit has a number of readings by various authors where it shows struggles with the self. Self-identity, ethnic backgrounds, and self-esteem are the major aspects of those readings. After reading their writings I found that I could relate to their experiences. The three readings that got my attention were “Zero” By Paul Logan, “I’m Just Me” by Lylah Alphonse, and “The Jacket” by Gary Soto.

“Self awareness is a state of being where you deeply understand your thoughts, emotions and behaviours and how they affect people and the world around them. When people are self aware they move beyond simply existing or reacting to their environment to deliberately living a fulfilling and meaningful life. People get to know the real of them and do things that reflect who they are deep inside” (Source: internet).

The difference between an individual's "self-concept" of themselves, versus their "self-image" is on a situational basis. The overall idea and image a person has of his or her self is the "self-concept." The "self-image" of a person varies from situation to situation. However, these individualistic portraits of the self contribute to the overall "self-concept" of a person.

Self-concept it is the collection of experiences and beliefs about one self, and how these experiences, beliefs interact to form a picture according to individual’s perspective what kind of a person an individual is. This includes physical and mental

Concept of self, self-esteem and self-efficacy. Refers to beliefs about who we are, how good we feel about ourselves, and how capable we believe we are at performing task.

Since the moment one is born, until one’s life comes to a halting end, he or she is always in a quest to find his or her self. Clearly, the concept of self is rather complex. Humans are different entities, with varied views on the world, which is what makes the universe such an interesting place. Of course, people are born with certain characteristics that become the bases for who he or she is. Yet, the components that fall under the self, such as, self concept, self knowledge, self esteem continue to change. Interestingly enough, the self falls under a specific spectrum. When he or she is young, he or she can merely recognize him or herself. Therefore the self is lost. However when he or she begins school the self he or she fall under one of the two

An individual’s opinion of who and what they helps them form and develop their own individuality. It is established through the individual’s behaviour and attitude. It relates to how they view themselves and is associated with their own self-image, body image and self-esteem. Murphy (as cited by Gross, 2001) stated the self is part of the individual which is understood and know to by the individual them self. A person’s physical appearance is the first thing that is seen when they are in contact with others. If the individual feels positive and confident within themselves then this will influence the development of a strong and healthy life. This can also influence how they experience life allowing them to develop in a positive, healthy way and enabling them to build up strong relationships with others. Self concept can be based upon one’s own expectations and goals which they hold

When we communicate we influence how others view us and we create an impression, when we receive opinions from others especially our significant other it influences how we feel about ourselves and helps create our self-concept. The reaction of others, your comparison with others, the social roles you play, and the groups of people you identify with all contribute to the development of your self-concept. According to Bevan and Sole part of the way you construct your self-concept is by choosing to accept or reject what other people tell you about yourself. Your self-concept is influenced by the people you surround yourself with and by what they tell you, to keep a positive self-concept it is helpful to surround yourself with someone who is positive and who speaks highly of you. You both must lift each other up and help each other to feel great about yourselves. “To grow and learn about yourself, you must be open-minded about other people 's opinions,” (Bevan and Sole 2014). Your opinions of each other mean a great deal to how you both feel about your selves and how you perceive yourselves. Your self-concept is how you feel about yourself but if you are told everyday of your life that you are ugly you will eventually think that you are a bit ugly, but if you are told you are beautiful you will think you are beautiful. Don’t ever put each other down even if it is unintentionally, always think before you speak! You can criticize or tell one another your thoughts and opinions

In America, our self-image undoubtedly plays a significant role in our daily lives. In an ever-changing world, we are constantly working in the lens of which we believe the world sees us. But is this true of all people? “Disparities in self-perception between different groups of people can easily be detected through cultural psychology (Heine, Takemoto, Moskalenko, Lasaleta & Henrich, 2008).” Perception, especially self-perception, can vary vastly from one culture to another. One perspective that drove home this idea was the thinking that “East Asian’s attempt to place their concern with self-concept in the hands of the people around them, as opposed to some other cultures that can be found to focus more prominently on individualism

The term “Self-Concept” refers what perceptions ones have or what ones believes about oneself. Self-concept can also be defined as identity and plays a vital role in determining individuals’ behavior. Development of self-concept or identity is one of the most essential of a kid’s mental development. It basically shows who we are as a kid and relations to other people. Young children frequently portray themselves utilizing discernible qualities, for example, stature, hair shading and even their leisure activities. Myers (2009) says that “self-concept is self-schemas, which refer to the beliefs concerning oneself that help an individual to process valuable self-relevant information (p.39).

I thought it was interesting that there is so much information and thought that can go into determining if we know ourselves better than anyone else, or if others can tell us more about ourselves than we are able to. Prior to reading the article by Vazier and Carlson (2010, p 605-616), I was under the impression that only you can truly determine what you are like, and therefore what others say is only a reflection of what you are willing to show them. While I still believe that my interpretation of the self-knowledge isn’t necessary wrong, the readings providing an excellent view from the other side. In reading the article, I found myself thinking that there are most likely acts and other functions that we perform, but are not necessarily

On the topic of “self” versus “no self,” I believe that there is a core self, a unique sense of identity as separate from others, and that seeks self-actualization. However, like Hoffman, Stewart, Warren, and Meek, in their 2009 article “Toward a Sustainable Myth of Self: An Existential Response to the Postmodern Condition,” I believe that the self develops within a framework provided by the society in which the individual lives in, which contains aspects of self that are fluid enough to appropriately suit the individual within the appropriate context to their perceived role in society and their environment. I also believe that the separation of self into two categories physical self, and spiritual self, are integrated into the individual’s

     Two things can happen when we are required to base our definition of “self” on others.  One can take others’ ways of living and thinking, process them, and formulate his or her own definition, independent of anyone else.  Or, one can use the relationships he or she has with other people on which to base their own definition of self, thus making him or her dependent on those other people.  As young people, we learn and take in all we can through the world, our experiences, and relationships with other people.  From there, we grow and establish our own identities, our own “selves”, in response to those interactions with others.  This definition is continually growing and progressing as we evolve as people, interacting with different people in different environments and

According to Hegel, “the self conscious is itself and for itself” meaning that it has to come outside of itself, so that it can do two things. One is to cancel out the other otherness. The second is to try to become recognized. This recognition process is called Master and Servant self-conscious. The conflict between master and servant is one in which the historical themes such as dependence and independence are introduced. It sets up the realization of the self conscious through the recognition of and by another, through mutual recognition.

When introducing the concept of self-consciousness, it can be very difficult for individuals to understand that there are many forms of self-consciousness. Many already have a definition in mind as soon as they hear the word self-consciousness. It is made up of many concepts because it isn’t just a cognitive state, rather, many cognitive states. The mind processes many things as opposed to just knowing things. Humans are capable of doing and desiring many things while self-evaluating and questioning oneself. Everyone is able to consider their own actions and to think about themselves. When thinking, humans are able to consider ideas and depictions regarding the self and others. Regarding oneself allows for evaluating self-worth in refinement to common social roles (Bermudez).