Self Concept

WHY study: SELF-CONCEPT To have a more positive self-awareness To see yourself honestly and to like or at least accept yourself To remove the internal barriers that keep you from doing your best.

Your VIEW of yourself - - SELF-CONCEPT Your VIEW of yourself - - The ENTIRE picture... It changes S L O W L Y

Self-Concept Self-concept is an individual’s perception of self and is what helps make each individual unique. Positive and negative self-assessments in the physical, emotional, intellectual, and functional dimensions change over time. Self-concept affects the ability to function and greatly influences health status.

Rogers believed that all behavior is motivated by self-actualizing tendencies, which drive a person to achieve at their highest level. As a result of their interactions with the environment and others, an individual forms a structure of the self or self-concept—an organized, fluid, conceptual pattern of concepts and values related to the self. 

Development of Self-Concept Self-concept evolves throughout life and depends to an extent on an individual’s developmental level.

Stages in Development of Self Self-awareness (infancy) Self-recognition (18 months) Self-definition (3 years) Self-concept (6 to 7 years)

Formation of Self-Concept Infant learns physical self different from environment. If basic needs are met, child has positive feelings of self. Child internalizes others people’s attitudes toward self. Child or adult internalizes standards of society.

Factors Affecting Self-Concept Altered Health Status Experience Developmental considerations Culture Internal and external resources History of success and failure Crisis or life stressors Aging, illness, or trauma

Components of Self-Concept Identity Body image Self-esteem Role performance

Components of Self-Concept A sense of personal identity is what sets one person apart as a unique individual. Identity includes a person’s name, gender, ethnic identity, family status, occupation, and roles. One’s personal identity begins to develop during childhood and is constantly reinforced and modified throughout life.

Components of Self-Concept Body image is an attitude about one’s physical attributes and characteristics, appearance, and performance. Body image is dynamic because any change in body structure or function, including the normal changes of growth and development, can affect it.

Components of Self-Concept Self-esteem is the judgment of personal performance and ability. Self-esteem is derived from a sense of giving and receiving love, and being respected by others.

Components of Self-Concept Role refers to a set of expected behaviors determined by familial, cultural, and social norms. The level of self-esteem is dependent upon the self-perception of adequate role performance in these various social roles.

Interrelationship of Components of Self-Concept

You see yourself as a LOVEABLE and WORTHWHILE person… SELF-CONCEPT POSITIVE You see yourself as a LOVEABLE and WORTHWHILE person…

NEGATIVE SELF-CONCEPT You feel uncertain and uncomfortable about yourself - - - you fear possible rejection

CHARACTERISTICS SELF-CONCEPT of people with Asks questions POSITIVE SELF-CONCEPT Asks questions Persistent – keeps trying – finds new ways to do things Take time to acknowledge personal accomplishments Sets goals

CHARACTERISTICS SELF-CONCEPT of people with Jump to conclusions NEGATIVE SELF-CONCEPT Jump to conclusions Look at only one detail and disregard the big picture Minimize achievements Magnify faults Blaming others. What better way to deny our weaknesses than to blame others for our problems or for the world's problems? Being an overly nice people

BUILDING SELF-CONCEPT Set ATTAINABLE goals based on your WANTS and NEEDS List and develop YOUR personal strengths and abilities Recognize what YOU have accomplished each step of the way LOOK FOR positive relationships with others

Self-concept building habits: Reward yourself Stop comparing yourself to others. Laugh more Take care of yourself Do something for someone. Keep a diary of all the good things you notice about yourself.

The way YOU THINK and FEEL about yourself SELF-ESTEEM The way YOU THINK and FEEL about yourself Can change from MOMENT to MOMENT

What is the difference between Self-Concept and Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem…What is it? Self-esteem refers to the way we see and think about ourselves.

Self-Esteem…What’s it made of? Your self-esteem is made up of all the experiences and interpersonal relationships you’ve had in your life. Everyone you’ve ever met has added to or taken away from how you see yourself!

The Importance of Self Esteem People who feel good a bout themselves more likely to have the confidence to try new health behaviors Building esteem is a first step towards your happiness and a better life. High self-esteem increases your confidence.

Advantages of a good Self Esteem

Feeling POSITIVELY about yourself, your actions, and your future HIGH SELF-ESTEEM Feeling POSITIVELY about yourself, your actions, and your future

CHARACTERISTICS SELF-ESTEEM of people with HIGH Seeks the challenge of worthwhile and demanding goals More ambitious in what one hopes to experience in life More capable of having open, honest and appropriate communications with others Self-confident – wants to be with other self-confident people.

Feeling NEGATIVELY about yourself, your actions, and your future LOW SELF-ESTEEM Feeling NEGATIVELY about yourself, your actions, and your future

Characteristics Able to accept and learn from their own mistakes. Confident without being obnoxious or conceited. Not devastated by criticism. Not overly defensive when questioned. Not easily defeated by setbacks and obstacles.

Unlikely to feel a need to put others down. Open and assertive in communicating their needs. Not overly worried about failing or looking foolish. Not harshly or destructively critical of themselves. Not aggressively driven to prove them.

CHARACTERISTICS SELF-ESTEEM of people with LOW Uncertain of own thoughts and feelings Fearful of change – seeks the safety of the familiar and undemanding People with low self- esteem are often drawn to each other – these relationships are often destructive – hurtful rather than helpful Feels anxious about the listener’s response

Characteristics of People with low self esteem 1-Self criticism 2-Self diminution: 3-Guilt& worry 4-physical manifestations 5-postponing decision 6-Denying one's self pleasure 7-Disturbed relationship: 8- Set unrealistic goals 9-Exaggerated sense of self

How is self-esteem built & destroyed? Building Find a good role model Praise & compliments Focus on the positive Keep criticism to a minimum Set & achieve goals Perfect your skills Destroyed Comparing yourself to others Putting yourself down Drug/Alcohol abuse ? OTHER ?

What can you do to build your self-esteem when you get out in the “real world”? Accept yourself: Stop worrying about the things you can’t change. Be more accepting of others and the things they can’t change. Your self- worth SHOULD NOT be based upon what others think of you, but how you feel about yourself. Try not to compare with others. It’s unfair. You may compare their strengths with your weaknesses. Judge yourself in terms of your own growth.

Face your fears Forget your failures Know what you want and ask for it. Reward yourself when you succeed Don't be defeated When you hear negative comments in your head, tell yourself you to stop. Remember that there are things about yourself you can't change

There are two different kinds of people in the world. The one that says “I wish I had” and The one that says “I’m glad I did” Remember you can have anything in this world if you just believe in yourself.

Lets Review Self-esteem comes from every experience of your life. How you view yourself affects everything you do in life. High self-esteem gives you a GOOD feeling about yourself. Low self-esteem distorts your view of yourself. Self-esteem can me improved!

Final Thought You are a unique individual. No one else is like you in the whole world. This makes you special already! Our time in this world is limited. Make it happen for you so you leave your mark in history!