self concept

Roger’s Theory of Self-Concept proposes that self-concept encompasses three components:

self-image, self-esteem, and the ideal self.

self-concept

how people perceive or think about themselves, whereas self-esteem relates to how people feel about themselves; an individual’s self-perception formed by experiences with others, inferences regarding one’s own behavior, and the surrounding environmental;compilation of a person’s beliefs, preferences, opinions, and attitudes that develops throughout the lifespan, though it is most flexible during the early years of human development

Roger’s Theory of Self-Concept

“the organized, consistent set of perceptions and beliefs about oneself”

Self-Image

the way an individual views their unique qualities such as genetic and physical characteristics (e.g., eye color, hair color, height, weight).

Self-Esteem

(self-worth) refers to the assessment of a person’s overall level of self-worth and how people feel about themselves

Ideal Self

what a person desires to be (e.g., strong, intelligent, respected, appreciated).According to Rogers, individuals aspire to experience, feel, and behave in ways that are consistent with their self-image and reflective of their ideal self.

Self-concept congruence

occurs when one’s self-image, self-esteem, and ideal self are aligned and consistent with one another

self-concept incongruence

Occurs when a person's ideal self is not consistent with their actual life experiences.

Emotional intelligence (EI)

develops when an individual is able to perceive, understand, control, manage, and evaluate emotions. According to Mayer and Salovey, EI is the “ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions to promote emotional and intellectual growth”

Other Factors Affecting Self-Concept

emotional intelligence (EI), self-awareness, body image, self-efficacy, culture, and role performance

Self-Awareness

The ability to see oneself clearly and objectively through reflection and introspection.;the ability to understand our emotions and their effects on others, to know what we are feeling and why, and to sense how we are perceived by others.

Body image

ones feelings, perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes toward one’s own physical appearance

self-efficacy

refers to a person’s perceived ability and aptitude to successfully complete a task.determine how individuals feel, think, behave, and motivate themselves

​​​​​​​Role performance

the specific behaviors that a person displays within each role and the perceptions of their ability to successfully fulfill the roles. It includes taking relevant actions to effectively execute the tasks of a specific role

Development of Self-Concept

a complex, multifaceted process that begins in infancy and continues throughout the lifespan

Trust versus mistrust (

birth to 1 year): Infancy

infants develop a sense of trust when caregivers provide reliable care and affection. A lack of consistent caregiving can result in a sense of mistrust.

Autonomy versus shame and doubt

(1 to 3 years): Early childhood	Children develop a sense of control and independence. Success leads to feelings of self-reliance; failure results in feelings of shame and uncertainty.

Initiative versus guilt

(3 to 6 years): Preschool	Children develop a sense of self-awareness and assert control and power over their environment. Success leads to a sense of purpose. Exerting too much power may result in disapproval and feelings of guilt.

Industry versus inferiority

(6 to 12 years): School age

Children begin to cope with new social and school interactions and feedback from peers and teachers. Success leads to a sense of competence, while failure results in a feeling of inadequacy.

Identity versus role confusion

(12 to 19 years): Adolescence	Adolescents develop a sense of self and personal identity. Exploration leads to a positive sense of self, while failure leads to role confusion and a weakened sense of self.

Intimacy versus isolation

(20 to mid-40s): Young adulthood	Young adults form intimate, stable relationships with others and achieve successful role transition. Success leads to healthy relationships, while failure results in loneliness and isolation.

Generativity versus stagnation

(mid-40s to mid-60s): Middle adulthood	Adults accept life changes, reassess life goals, and create positive change that benefits other people. Success leads to feelings of usefulness and accomplishment, while failure results in lack of involvement and meaning.

Integrity versus despair

(mid-60s to death): Late adulthood	Older adults reflect on life and feel a sense of fulfillment. Success at this state leads to a feeling of wisdom, while failure results in regret, bitterness, and despair.

Erickson's theory of psychosocial development

series of eight stages of psychosocial development that occur between birth and death. According to Erikson, each stage of psychosocial development includes a unique crisis or dilemma that builds on the tasks of the previous stage.

Identity formation

a complex, lifelong process whereby individuals develop an understanding of themselves within the context of family, cultural, and social norms

Marcia’s Four Identity Statuses

Identity achievement	Individuals explore alternatives and make occupational, ideological, and relational commitments during adolescence. Achieved individuals have a solid and integrated self-concept.
Moratorium	Individuals with a moratorium status experience an identity crisis. They struggle to find positions to which to commit and often feel overwhelmed, anxious, and unfulfilled.
Foreclosure	Individuals who are foreclosed in their identity have adopted beliefs and values without question that are often imposed upon them by authority figures. Their belief system is generally carried forward from childhood into adulthood without challenge.
Identity diffusion	Individuals who are identity diffused lack commitment and meaningful exploration. They may drift from one endeavor to another and fail to integrate a sense of purpose and direction.

Identity achievement

Individuals explore alternatives and make occupational, ideological, and relational commitments during adolescence. Achieved individuals have a solid and integrated self-concept.

Moratorium

Individuals with a moratorium status experience an identity crisis. They struggle to find positions to which to commit and often feel overwhelmed, anxious, and unfulfilled.

Foreclosure

Individuals who are foreclosed in their identity have adopted beliefs and values without question that are often imposed upon them by authority figures. Their belief system is generally carried forward from childhood into adulthood without challenge.

Identity diffusion

Individuals who are identity diffused lack commitment and meaningful exploration. They may drift from one endeavor to another and fail to integrate a sense of purpose and direction

 A self-concept stressor

an event or perception that has a negative impact on how a person perceives themself.

identity confusion

An unclear sense of self, individuality, and personality resulting from an inability to adapt to identity stressors.

identity stressors

Life events that can threaten self-concept including gender dysphoria, a feeling of incongruity between one's gender identity and assigned sex at birth; being laid off, downsized, or losing one's career; separation, divorce, or death of a spouse; or being marginalized or discriminated against because of race or ethnicity.

Body Image Stressors

Societal attitudes about physical attributes, appearance, and performance that can impact a client's self perception of their body image.

Self-Esteem Stressors

Life events such as disability, chronic illness, loss of career, change in financial status, feeling irrelevant due to retirement, and loss of social support when a spouse is deceased that can impact a client's self-esteem.

Role Performance Stressors

include role conflict, role ambiguity, and role overload

role conflict

Occurs when individuals are faced with two or more role expectations and find themselves unable to meet these expectations at the same time.

role ambiguity

Refers to the lack of clarity in understanding the actions that need to be taken to achieve proposed goals. It can affect an individual's understanding of expectations, generates doubts about achievement of their objectives, and creates uncertainty as to how their performance will be assessed.

role overload

Occurs when the roles and responsibilities placed upon an individual are greater than their ability to effectively manage them or when they find themselves pressured to respond to the many roles they hold.

role strain

Occurs when an individual has difficulty meeting the responsibilities of a particular life role or when incompatible demands are placed upon an individual.

Example Assessment Questions for identity

How would you describe yourself?

What words might others use to describe you?

How is your identity influenced by others or by society?

How do the opinions of others impact how you see yourself?

Example Assessment Questions for body image

How would you describe your physical appearance?

Which aspects of your body or physical appearance do you like and appreciate?

Which aspects of your body or physical appearance do you dislike or wish you could change?

How important is it to always look your best?

Example Assessment Questions for self-esteem

What are some of your accomplishments or qualities that make you feel good about yourself?

How do you respond when you experience failure?

How comfortable are you expressing your opinions and ideas?

How much do you worry about what others think of you?

Example Assessment Questions for role performance

Describe two or three of your primary roles. How successful do you feel in fulfilling these roles?

If your roles conflict, how do you cope or adapt to fulfill them?

What kind of support do you have to fulfill your various roles?

Which feelings do you experience when thinking about some of your primary roles?