What is Self-Concept? Definition, Components & Comparisons

Self-concept in psychology, a fundamental part of being human, is how you see and think about yourself. This involves what you believe about your behavior, characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and abilities. Having a helpful self-concept is important because it impacts your choices, emotions, decisions, relationships and career. To gain a clearer understanding of your strengths and how they contribute to your self-concept, consider taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment. This assessment provides valuable insights into your top strengths, helping you develop a more accurate and positive self-concept.

By identifying and focusing on your strengths, you can cultivate a healthier sense of self that supports personal growth and well-being. A person’s self-concept can be either positive or negative, and the HIGH5 assessment can be a powerful tool in shifting towards a more positive outlook. For instance, ideas like “I am a critical thinker” contribute to a positive self-concept, while notions such as “I am bad at communicating with others” are part of a negative self-concept. There are a plethora of major factors that contribute to someone’s image and outlook on themselves. Some people have beliefs about themselves that aren’t true or contradict each other. This decreases the amount of self-concept clarity someone has, and this can end up hurting them and others. In this article, we will cover the basics of the theory of self-concept in psychology and how it impacts your life.

What is self-concept?

Self-concept theory encapsulates the individual’s entire outlook on themselves – including the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual elements that make up their personality. Self-concept is more than just self-esteem but also includes your self-image, your sense of your ideal self, and your social identity, or how you see yourself as part of your family and other groups. To gain a comprehensive understanding of your self-concept, consider taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment. This assessment identifies your top strengths across various aspects of your personality, providing valuable insights into how you perceive yourself and interact with the world around you. By understanding your strengths, you can develop a more accurate and positive self-concept, which is essential for personal growth and well-being.

Roy Baumister’s theory in the field of social psychology provides a clear definition of the self-concept theory. Baumeister describes self-concept as “The individual’s belief about himself or herself, including the person’s attributes and who and what the self is.”[1]. An individual’s self-concept concept usually changes over time, adapting and growing with the individual. The more you learn about yourself, the more your self-concept will develop. There may be some self-concept differentiation between different elements of your personality. For instance, you may view yourself differently physically as opposed to emotionally. Key academics such as Baumeister believe that self-concept also involves both the individual’s beliefs about who they are as well as the meaning of “self” [2].

Why self-concept is important?

Self-concept reveals your thoughts about yourself and how you believe you fit into society. This means that everyone has some kind of self-concept, but how much you benefit from it depends on your awareness of that self-concept and the desire to adapt and grow. Understanding your self-concept can help you feel both a sense of belonging and a sense of security in a changing world. In fact, self-concept is the basis of your identity. It gives you insights into your underlying thoughts, feelings, and motivations, helping you to set achievable goals and maintain healthy relationships.

List of 10 self-concept awareness benefits

Becoming aware of your self-concept offers several benefits that can improve your mental well-being and personal growth. Below is a list of 10 key advantages of self-concept awareness, helping you to better understand yourself and your interactions with the world.

1. Feeling more secure and worthwhile
2. Understanding your role in society and in your community
3. Better understanding of your underlying thoughts and emotions
4. Better comprehension of the motivation behind your decisions
5. Notice your negative beliefs and reframe them more positively
6. Evaluate whether your goals align with your perceived desires and strengths
7. Build stronger self-worth after recognizing gaps in your self-image
8. Overcome the desire to seek others’ approval
9. Gain a collection of beliefs that are more helpful and motivating than your current beliefs
10. Appreciate your life-long personal growth

Pro Tip From HIGH5

Take the HIGH5 strengths assessment to gain a clearer understanding of your unique strengths and how they contribute to your self-concept. Use this knowledge to set goals that align with your strengths and values, fostering a greater sense of purpose and self-awareness.

Can a self-concept be changed?

Yes, a self-concept can be changed through self-awareness and intentional effort. By leveraging tools like the HIGH5 strengths test, individuals can gain insights and actively work towards personal growth and behavioral adjustments.

Carl Rogers’ components of self-concept

Carl Rogers identified three components of self-concept: self-image (how we see ourselves), self-esteem (how we value ourselves), and the ideal self (how we wish to be). These components interact to shape our overall self-concept [3].

Self-image

Self-image refers to the perception we have of ourselves, including our physical appearance, abilities, and personality traits. It influences how we think, feel, and behave in various situations.

Self-esteem

Self-esteem is the value we place on ourselves, encompassing our sense of worth and self-respect. It affects our confidence and motivation, influencing how we respond to life’s challenges and successes.

Ideal-self

The ideal-self is the version of ourselves that we aspire to be, encompassing our goals, ambitions, and values. It serves as a motivating force, guiding our actions and decisions toward achieving personal growth and fulfillment. The more our actions align with our ideal-self, the better our psychological health [3].

Parts of self-concept and main differences

There are a plethora of different terms that often get confused with the idea of self-concept. Before you understand your inner ideas about yourself, you should gain an insight into the differences between self-concept and other similar ideas and outlooks on your personality. The key elements of self-concept as described by Carl Rogers [3] include:

Self-concept vs. self-esteem

While these two terms seem almost identical, they do possess some key differences. Self-esteem is a part of self-concept. Self-concept, on the other hand, covers all of an individual’s attitudes and beliefs toward themselves, of which self-esteem is only part. Self-concept covers far more than just one’s confidence. It also involves your thoughts on your abilities, strengths, weaknesses, preferences, hobbies, addictions, and so on. Self-esteem is only part of this overreaching idea.

Self-concept vs. self-image

Once again, these two ideas are interrelated but not the same, as self-image is just another part of self-concept. While self-concept includes your view of your whole identity, self-image is about how you see yourself in terms of appearance and abilities.

Self-concept vs. Ideal-self

People’s ideal self does not always align with who they currently are. If there is a mismatch between your ideal self and self-image, you may value yourself less. This ties into self-concept and the individual’s feelings toward their abilities and strengths. They may inaccurately evaluate their abilities in their self-concept and maintain a distorted self-image as a result of the mismatch between the ideal and actual self. Self-concept does not deal with the individual’s ideals, but rather, how they feel about themselves in the current moment.

Self-concept vs. self-awareness

Another factor that influences self-concept is self-awareness. Self-awareness is the ability that involves accurate measurement and understanding of one’s own strengths, weaknesses, abilities, character traits, and behaviors. To have an accurately developed self-concept, one that is grounded in reality, you must be self-aware.

Positive self-concept vs. negative self-concept

People rarely have a fully negative or positive outlook on themselves. They may view themselves positively at certain times but negatively at other times. A strong self-concept can positively impact your career and relationships. A positive self-concept also leads to more emotional stability. One way to develop a more positive self-concept is by focusing on your strengths. The HIGH5 strengths assessment can help you identify your top strengths, providing a foundation for building a more positive view of yourself. By recognizing and leveraging your strengths, you can enhance your emotional stability and create more positive outcomes in your personal and professional life.

Positive self-concept: list of 10 examples

1. You view yourself as an intelligent person.
2. You see yourself as a vital member of the community or a team at work.
3. You are confident in yourself as a good spouse, friend, and coworker.
4. You see yourself as a kind and caring person.
5. You believe that you are hard-working and persistent.
6. You believe you play an active role in your company’s success.
7. You appreciate that you have unique abilities.
8. You are secure in your ability to meet goals.
9. You recognize that you have the ability to take criticism well and grow as a result.
10. You are willing to let yourself be you and experiment with your strengths.

Negative self-concept: list of 10 examples

1. You view yourself as stupid and incapable of learning.
2. You see yourself as a burden to your loved ones, community, or team.
3. You believe you have failed to be a supportive spouse, friend, or coworker.
4. You see yourself as a rude and socially inept person.
5. You believe that you are lazy and give up easily.
6. You feel like you don’t contribute to your team’s success.
7. You think you have few or no talents.
8. You automatically discourage yourself from believing that you can meet your goals or achieve your dreams.
9. You take criticism as personal attacks.
10. You deny yourself the ability to recognize your talent.

Pro Tip From HIGH5

When you find yourself engaging in negative self-talk, refer to your HIGH5 strengths assessment results. Remind yourself of your top strengths and the positive qualities they represent. Use this as a starting point to reframe negative thoughts into more positive, strength-based affirmations.

How to change a negative self-concept into a positive self-concept?

Changing your self-concept requires a transformation of thought, which can be daunting to some. However, there are multiple methods you can use to identify the root causes of your negative self-talk, address them, and turn your self-concept into a more positive outlook. One way to improve your self-concept is to take intentional time to enjoy the activities that you are passionate about. This will help you explore your preferences and take pride in your strengths. It can help you connect with others who can affirm that you are good at certain tasks and you have unique skills. Also, find and address any of your limiting beliefs. These notions are fueling your self-doubt, negativity, and distorted self-image. Comparing yourself to others is a common root of limiting beliefs. Such comparisons. only force you to dwell on your imperfections rather than realize your positive qualities and encourage self-development.

If you regularly think negative things about yourself, reverse that self-talk into positive self-reflection. Whenever you feel the need to criticize yourself, turn this into an opportunity to reflect upon your strengths. Learning about your strengths can also help you set goals and view yourself in a more accurate manner. Identifying your strengths on your own can be difficult. If you are having trouble, use an objective test, such as the HIGH5 strengths assessment, to do the work for you. After taking this test, you will gain a clear insight into your abilities and strengths. A verified inventory of your unique strengths will help you no longer deny your positive qualities. When you catch yourself back in your negative self-talk, reaffirm your strengths instead of repeating your weaknesses. Soon your negative thoughts will be replaced by a more accurate and helpful outlook on yourself.

Pro Tip From HIGH5

After taking the HIGH5 strengths assessment, create a list of your top strengths and place it somewhere visible, like your workspace or mirror. Regularly review your strengths and consider how you can apply them in various aspects of your life. This practice will help reinforce a positive self-concept and encourage you to leverage your strengths daily.

The development stages of self-concept

The formation of self-concept during early childhood

During the first two years of life, babies and infants need consistent parental support to develop a positive outlook toward themselves and the world around them. They develop preferences based on what they know about themselves and thrive best with reasonable limits from their trusted parents. Once toddlers get basic language skills, they further understand the concept of “myself.” As children grow older, they slowly differentiate themselves more and more from others around them. A child’s self-image is usually detailed but not judgemental or based on prejudice. With healthy development, children become more and more curious about their abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Children only start to understand the idea of concern for others around the ages of 5-6. They start to think of others’ needs, not just their own [4].

Self-concept in middle childhood

Middle childhood encapsulates the ages of 6-11. Starting at around age 9, children begin to see themselves as relating to groups, especially of peers. They may seek to understand how they fit into these groups and what sets them apart from others [5]. As a result, environmental factors, like the perceived beliefs of others about the individual, begin to matter to this age group. They may become self-conscious if they do not meet the group’s idea of ‘normal.’ Social interaction also becomes more frequent and may fuel problems with self-esteem in adolescents and preteens [5]. People in this age group tend to see themselves in absolute, or “black-and-white,” terms. They develop a clearer idea of self, describe themselves using their traits and strengths as opposed to isolated behaviors, and focus on their traits in reference to the traits of others.

The development of self-concept in adolescence

During adolescence, self-concept is rapidly developing. Lots of experimentation with the idea of self occurs during the ages of 12-18. Comparison is extremely common, whether that be noticing gender differences or cross-cultural differences. The basic views an adolescent has about themselves could last them their entire life. Self-criticism and low self-esteem are especially common during this time period. Adolescents are at risk of being more likely to follow the crowd and put others’ beliefs above their own. Overvaluing others’ opinions is another element of self-concept development at this time. The two most important factors that develop an adolescent’s self-worth are their academic success or success in another field as well as approval from individuals they value.

Self-concept in adulthood

When someone reaches adulthood, their self-concept usually becomes relatively stable. Adults already have their basic attitudes about their skills, behaviors, strengths, weaknesses, and other aspects of their personalities. While many of these aspects are carried from their adolescent years, the self-concept element of self-esteem has been proven to change in adulthood. Usually, it increases up until the age of about 60 and then declines [6]. Other factors, such as relationships and achieving success in one’s career, also form an individual’s overall outlook on themselves. Similar to adolescents, adults may seek approval from others. Usually, this comes in the form of seeking approval from bosses, coworkers, or romantic partners.

Self-concept in older adults

The ideal basis for self-concept in older adults is based on one’s own desires and experiences. Unfortunately, a number of societal and personal factors could force even older adults to seek approval from coworkers, friends, or family members rather than finding security in a strong self-concept. The rapid aging and grappling with one’s own mortality further intensify the commonly negative shift in self-concept which usually occurs in older adults. New stressors may arise as one gets older, such as health issues or retirement problems. All of this can lead to individuals questioning their worth or competence, which can be damaging to their outlook on themselves.

How to form and measure self-concept? List of 5 tools

Measuring self-concept on your own can be a daunting task. Even if you do find a method, self-reporting bias can make the results inaccurate. This is why using accurate and objective tools is so crucial for this task. Consider performing some research on the best available tools for measuring self-concept. Note how the tool was developed, how the developer defines self-concept and the way it measures your self-concept. Then, choose the tool that best aligns with your idea of self-concept (the one you deem to be most accurate).

Some common tools include:

1. The Robson Self-Concept Questionnaire [7]
2. The Social Self-Concept Questionnaire [8]
3. The Academic Self-Concept Questionnaire [9]
4. The Saraswat Self-Concept Questionnaire [7]
5. The Harrill Self-Esteem Inventory [7]

How to improve self-concept?

There are a number of strategies you can use to improve your self-concept. Affirmations are one such technique. To use this strategy, simply remind yourself of a few of your positive characteristics daily. You could also try writing down all your positive traits and looking at them each morning. Affirmations can help you realize that you do have positive traits. If you struggle with coming up with these traits, ask a trusted friend to help you. They will likely tell you your best qualities from their perspective. Sometimes, expectations can wreak havoc on your self-concept. In a social context, this could look like you are expecting to be as popular or well-liked as someone else.

Realize that there are a variety of social roles out there. To improve your self-concept, stop comparing yourself to others and avoid setting unrealistic expectations. Instead, set goals that are achievable but challenging. They should be based on your desires and values, not someone else’s. You also can greatly improve your self-concept by valuing yourself not for the things you own but for the person you are. You are more than the value of your house, your workplace position, salary, or any other item. Self-worth and self-image are key aspects of self-concept. Therefore, accurately evaluating yourself based on reality and appreciating yourself can help you maintain a positive, healthy self-concept.

Examples of self-concept activities for toddlers & kids

Childhood is an extremely important time for the development of an individual’s self-concept. Self-exploration and avoiding comparison are both ways to help toddlers and kids develop a positive outlook on themselves. As a parent, you have a powerful opportunity to guide them to continue developing a healthy self-concept. Some potential activities that help kids and toddlers maintain a positive self-concept include:

• Exploring the child’s interests alongside them
• Speaking to them about their favorite subject and why they enjoy it
• Creating SMART goals together based on their desires, strengths, and goals
• Having the child learn about their impact on their community through volunteering
• Praising a child’s effort, not just the outcome of the effort
• Explaining the dangers of comparison
• Giving kids a chance to weigh in on decisions that impact them
• Using a self-esteem journal
• Giving the child some autonomy by allowing them to partake in chores or packing for a trip

Examples of self-concept activities for high school & college students

Self-concept plays a key role in a student’s success, whether that be in high school, college, or beyond. Teens may neglect to evaluate their self-concept because they do not yet realize the benefits of doing so. This makes the parents and other educators partially responsible for fostering positive self-concept in their teens and young adults. The best activities to encourage the development of a positive self-concept in high school and college students include:

• Creating a collage or vision board reflecting who the student is and who they wish to become
• Having a discussion about who the individual is and who they are not using “I am” or “I am not” statements
• Encouraging students to introduce themselves to new potential friends or team members by asking them about their interests and strengths.
• Outlining a career plan that focuses on the student’s goals
• Evaluating how well the student has achieved their prior goals
• Encouraging students to give anonymous compliments to each other on postcards
• Discussing the effects of comparison and the harm of “put-downs”
• Creating a list of negative phrases that are off-limits when speaking about yourself or others.

Self-concept FAQ

What do you mean by self-concept?

Self-concept refers to the individual’s overall thoughts and feelings about who they are and how they fit into society. This includes their outlook on the spiritual, physical, social, and emotional elements of their personality. It also involves their attitudes about their strengths, weaknesses, goals, desires, and behavior. Self-concept changes throughout life and can also change, depending on which element of one’s personality someone is evaluating.

What are the 4 types of self-concept?

The four types of self-concept are self-image, self-esteem, ideal-self, and social self. These aspects together shape how we perceive ourselves and interact with the world.

What is another term for self-concept?

Many terms are often used interchangeably with self-concept. The most accurate synonyms for self-concept would be self-construction, self-identity, self-structure, or self-beliefs. However, some people confuse different terms with self-concept. Remember that there are key differences between self-image, self-esteem, and the ideal self when compared to self-concept. The latter 3 terms are all part of self-concept but are far more specific than one’s general view and attitude toward themselves.

References:

1. Ackerman, C. (2018). What is self-concept theory? A psychologist explains. Positive Psychology. https://positivepsychology.com/self-concept/.
2. Baumeister R. F. (2011). Self and identity: a brief overview of what they are, what they do, and how they work. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1234, 48–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06224.x.
3. McLeod, S. (2024). Carl Rogers humanistic theory and contribution to psychology. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/carl-rogers.html.
4. (n.d.). (2024). Positive Parenting Tips: Middle Childhood (6–8 years old). Centers for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/positive-parenting-tips/middle-childhood-6-8-years.html.
5. (n.d.). (2024). Positive Parenting Tips: Middle Childhood (9-11 years old). Centers for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/child-development/positive-parenting-tips/middle-childhood-9-11-years-old.html.
6. (n.d.). (2010). Self-esteem declines sharply among older adults while middle-aged are most confident. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2010/04/self-esteem.
7. Mead, E. (2019). 16 Self-concept questionnaires, activities and tests (+PDF). Positive Psychology. https://positivepsychology.com/self-concept-questionnaires-activities/.
8. Fernández-Zabala, A., Rodríguez-Fernández, A., & Goñi, A. (2016). The structure of the Social Self-Concept (SSC) Questionnaire. Anales de Psicología, 32(1), 199–205. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.32.1.193931.
9. Minchekar, V. S. (2019). Academic SelfConcept Scale for Adolescents: Development, reliability, and validity of ASCS. International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews, 6(1). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331873419_Academic_Self_Concept_Scale_for_Adolescents_Development_Reliability_and_Validity_of_ASCS.