Self-concept by Dr. Saul McLeod | What is Self-Concept? By Kendra Cherry, MS

Self-concept by Dr. Saul McLeod This article provide the concepts of self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem. Self-concept is the way people perceive and evaluate themselves, which influences behavior, emotions, and relationships. It is crucial for overall well-being, and a negative self-concept can lead to emotional and social difficulties. Two aspects of self-concept are the existential self and the categorical self. Self-image is the mental picture individuals have of themselves, including physical appearance and personal traits. Factors influencing self-image include personal experiences, feedback from others, and societal and media standards. The actual self includes self-awareness and introspection, while self-esteem is how much we like, accept, or value ourselves. The ideal self is the person an individual aspires to become, and congruence is the alignment between the real self and the ideal self. Improving self-awareness and self-esteem can positively impact behavior, relationships, and mental health. What is Self-Concept? By Kendra Cherry, MS Self-concept is an individual's overall perception of themselves, influenced by interactions, experiences, and their perception of their traits and abilities. It consists of personality traits, roles in life, hobbies and passions, and interactions with society. Carl Rogers' theory of self-concept consists of three main components: Ideal Self, Self-Image, and Self-Esteem. Congruence vs. incongruence is a key aspect of self-concept, where the self-image aligns with the ideal self, fostering positive self-esteem. Self-concept evolves through interactions with others, media and society, and role models. Theories on self-concept include Social Identity Theory, which divides self-concept into personal and social identity, and Multidimensional Theory, which consists of six dimensions: academic success, affect, competence, family, physical appearance, and social skills. A strong, positive self-concept contributes to overall well-being, motivation, and resilience, while an incongruent self-concept may lead to dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and mental health challenges.