Kendra Cherry
Kendra Cherry
Kendra Cherry
Self-concept is the image that we have of ourselves. How exactly does this
self-image form and change over time? This image develops in a number of
ways but is particularly influenced by our interactions with important people
in our lives.
Self-concept tends to be more malleable when people are younger and still
going through the process of self-discovery and identity formation. As people
age, self-perceptions become much more detailed and organized as people
form a better idea of who they are and what is important to them.
Components of Self-Concept
Bracken (1992) suggested that there are six specific domains related to self-
concept:
Humanist psychologist, Carl Rogers believed that there were three different
parts of self-concept:
As mentioned earlier, our self-concepts are not always perfectly aligned with
reality. Some students might believe that they are great at academics, but
their school transcripts might tell a different story.
Rogers believed that incongruence has its earliest roots in childhood. When
parents place conditions on their affection for their children (only expressing
love if children "earn it" through certain behaviors and living up to the
parents' expectations), children begin to distort the memories of experiences
that leave them feeling unworthy of their parents' love.
Sources:
Rogers, C. A Theory of Therapy, Personality and Interpersonal Relationships as Developed in the Client-centered
Framework. In (ed.) S. Koch, Psychology: A Study of a Science. Vol. 3: Formulations of the Person and the Social