Self Concept
Who are you ?
Chapter 2 in text
• Our self concept is simply the way we see our
selves and thus present ourselves to others.
• It is made up of three diminutions…..
– Values ….our core motivators
– Beliefs ….our sense of likes and dislikes
– Attitudes ….behaviors that follow values and beliefs
• VALUES …are the fundamental motivators to all of our
actions and thoughts.
• Values are the most resistant to change.
• They can be linked to how we wish to identify
ourselves….
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–
–
–
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Parent
Student
A good friend
An honest person
…….make your own !
• Beliefs …. Are formed from past experiences that
we have had.....be they positive or negative!
• We choose to believe things that have been
proven to use from past experiences.
• Self-fulfilling-prophecy is the ability to make our
beliefs come true.
– I believe that I will not be successful in this program
and my attitude will insure it!
• Attitudes ... The way we behave and interact
with others.
• Attitudes can be changed more easily along
with beliefs and finally values.
Attitudes
Beliefs
Values
Our different Selves
• We have all deferent “
selves “ the we choose to
present to other.
• The back stage self …..
The person you are when
your at home in your
safe / un-judgmental
place.
• The onstage self ..... The person you wish to be
seen as……the public / professional self.
• The material self ….. For those to choose to link
their identity by what they have.
• The spiritual self
….. The inner
you , the person
inside yourself
that motivates
you and guides
you through life
…..
– It may or may
not be based
upon religion.
How does self concept develop ?
• We learn as children who we are by interacting
with others ( adults / children) ……we become
who they tell us we are !!!!
• This is known as a looking glass self or reflected
appraisal.
• As small children our invitation to
the world is based upon how
others see or label us……an
example of this would be our
names
– We identify with our names
– We respond to our names
– Our names can act as labels (assuming
you have a unique one )
– You began in this world with a given
name, not your own ! ….. I hope it’s
working for you !!
• In most cases our self concept is already hard wired
at a very early age, 6 to 8.
• By that age we already have a sound idea who we
are !
• The plans have already been implemented and the
rest of life is window dressing.
• We believe and learn to believe repeated
messages about our selves …. Negative or
Positive.
• The negative tend to be more concerning so those
messages are prolonged.
• We value statements from those we trust !
• We value constancy so if we hear the same
comments from different people they must be
true !
– You can see the effect this would have on anyone
living in a negative environment.
Social Roles
• At an early age we take on social roles as we
interact with others.
– The bully
– The victim
– The helper
– The clown
– The good child
– The parent sibling
– …..add your own !
pick one that
relates to your
childhood
• As we grow we can take on individual roles that
meet our value system… a value system that has
been nurtured through childhood.
– The good student
– The wife / mother
– The athlete
– The drop out
– The overachiever
– The super hero helper
– The family mediator
– The rescuer
– ….Add your own
Pick one that
relates to you
and trace it to
your past
• All of these adult roles are effected by early interaction and
confirmed through current interaction.
Self Esteem
• Self esteem is directly attached to self worth !
• We all measure our self worth by comparing
ourselves to others…. “ Social Comparison “
• Social Comparison really kicks in during early
school years……how we see ourselves doing compared
to others around us.
we experience life as a race
• Self – esteem issues lead directly to life problems.
• Low self-worth leads to poor relationships,
stagnate careers, high mental health rates and
over all wellness issues.
• Low self esteem and self worth can be passed on
to our children through modeling.
How do I fix this ?
• Positive self talk ….. Re-record positive messages
over the negative ones…… positive self fulfilling
prophecy.
• Visualize a positive self image of your self …using
mind over matter
• Avoid Comparing yourself to others….life's a
journey not a race !
• Develop positive authentic relationships.
• Let go of the past and seek support.