Self-Conception

A Self-Conception is a identity conception of oneself.

• AKA: Self-Construction, Self-Identity, Self-Perspective, Self-Structure.
• Context:
  • It can (typically) encompassing their beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge about their own identity
  • It can (typically) include aspects such as self-image, self-esteem, and personal identity.
  • It can (often) be influenced by social interactions, cultural norms, and life experiences.
  • It can range from being a Conscious Self-Conception to being an Unconscious Self-Conception.
  • It can range from being a Stable Self-Conception to being a Fragmented Self-Conception or Conflicted Self-Conception.
  • It can be shaped by feedback from others and by self-reflection.
  • It can evolve as a person grows and encounters new experiences.
  • It can involve cognitive processes such as self-awareness and self-reflection.
  • It can be a key factor in how individuals navigate their social worlds and understand their place in society.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Self-Image, which is a more specific, concrete mental representation that forms a key part of self-conception, such as a masculine self-image, a competent-professional self-image, or an attractive-person self-image.
  • Self-Esteem, which is the evaluative and emotional component of self-conception, such as high self-esteem, low self-esteem, or fluctuating self-esteem.
  • Personal Identity, which involves the qualities, beliefs, and expressions that make a person unique, such as being creative, ambitious, or introverted.
  • Role Identity, which is derived from the social roles and positions a person occupies, such as a parent identity, a teacher identity, or a leader identity.
  • Group Identity, which comes from a person's sense of belonging to particular social groups, such as a national identity, a religious identity, or a gender identity.
  • Character Identity, which is based on a person's moral and ethical qualities and values, such as being honest, compassionate, or responsible.
  • Body Image, which involves a person's perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about their own body, such as feeling physically fit, overweight, or attractive.
  • Possible Selves, which includes the futures a person envisions for themselves, such as a successful future self, a feared future self, or a hoped-for future self.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Social Identity, which is based on group memberships and social roles rather than individual self-perception.
  • Assigned Identity, which is determined by external factors rather than self-perception.
  • Group Identity.
• See: Self Perception Theory, Self Assessment, Self-Schema, Gender Roles, Racial Identity, Self-Awareness, Attitude (Psychology), Dispositions, Self-Knowledge (Psychology), Self-Esteem, Self-Image, Self-Esteem, Self-Identity, Personal Identity, Social Identity, Self-Reflection, Self-Awareness, Cognitive Psychology, Human Self-Reflection.

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References

2024

• (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-concept Retrieved:2024-6-9.
  • In the psychology of self, one's self-concept (also called self-construction, self-identity, self-perspective or self-structure) is a collection of beliefs about oneself. Generally, self-concept embodies the answer to the question "Who am I?".

    The self-concept is distinguishable from self-awareness, which is the extent to which self-knowledge is defined, consistent, and currently applicable to one's attitudes and dispositions. Self-concept also differs from self-esteem: self-concept is a cognitive or descriptive component of one's self (e.g. "I am a fast runner"), while self-esteem is evaluative and opinionated (e.g. "I feel good about being a fast runner").

    Self-concept is made up of one's self-schemas, and interacts with self-esteem, self-knowledge, and the social self to form the self as a whole. It includes the past, present, and future selves, where future selves (or possible selves) represent individuals' ideas of what they might become, what they would like to become, or what they are afraid of becoming. Possible selves may function as incentives for certain behaviour.

    The perception people have about their past or future selves relates to their perception of their current selves. The temporal self-appraisal theory argues that people have a tendency to maintain a positive self-evaluation by distancing themselves from their negative self and paying more attention to their positive one. In addition, people have a tendency to perceive the past self less favourably (e.g. "I'm better than I used to be") and the future self more positively (e.g. "I will be better than I am now").

2024

• Perplexity
  • Self-conception, also known as self-concept, refers to an individual's comprehensive understanding and perception of themselves. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs, attributes, and evaluations about one's own identity, including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects. This concept is central to how individuals perceive and evaluate themselves, influencing their behavior, emotions, and interactions with others.
  • Key Aspects of Self-Conception
    1. **Existential Self**: This is the fundamental awareness of being a distinct and separate entity from others. It begins to develop in infancy as children recognize their own existence and continuity over time and space[1].
    2. **Self-Image**: This refers to the mental picture individuals have of themselves, including physical appearance and personal traits. It is shaped by personal experiences, interactions with others, and societal influences[1][2].
    3. **Ideal Self**: This is the person an individual aspires to become, embodying their goals, values, and aspirations. It represents the attributes and qualities one wishes to possess[1][7].
    4. **Self-Esteem**: This is the evaluative aspect of self-conception, reflecting how much individuals value themselves. It includes judgments about one's worth and can significantly impact overall self-concept[2][7].
    5. **Self-Schemas**: These are individual concepts of particular aspects of the self, such as personality traits, skills, and roles. A collection of self-schemas forms the overall self-concept[3][6].
  • Development and Maintenance: Self-conception develops through experiences, interactions, and reflections, starting from early childhood and continuing throughout life. It is influenced by feedback from others, personal achievements, and societal standards. While relatively stable in adulthood, self-conception can change based on new experiences and self-reflection[2][6].
  • Theoretical Perspectives
    • **Carl Rogers**: Rogers identified three components of self-concept: self-image, self-esteem, and the ideal self. He emphasized the importance of congruence between self-image and the ideal self for achieving self-actualization[6][7].
    • **Roy Baumeister**: Baumeister described self-concept as a knowledge structure that includes beliefs about oneself and is influenced by self-evaluation and social interactions[2][5].
  • Importance: A well-developed self-conception is crucial for mental well-being, guiding behavior, choices, and relationships. It helps individuals understand their strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and navigate social environments effectively[1][5][7].
  • Citations:

[1] https://www.simplypsychology.org/self-concept.html
[2] https://positivepsychology.com/self-concept/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-concept
[4] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-conception
[5] https://www.betterup.com/blog/self-concept
[6] https://www.thoughtco.com/self-concept-psychology-4176368
[7] https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-concept-2795865
[8] https://dictionary.apa.org/self-concept

2020

• (Wikipedia, 2020) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-concept Retrieved:2020-1-6.
  • One's self-concept (also called self-construction, self-identity, self-perspective or self-structure) is a collection of beliefs about oneself. Generally, self-concept embodies the answer to "Who am I?". ...

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