sport psych - the self

Definition: Self-concept reflects how one perceives oneself.
Composition:
- Made up of various “lower order” self-concepts.
- Each represents specific “elements” that contribute to an individual's identity.
Influence of behavior:
- Situational behaviors inform the higher levels of self-concept.

Definition: Self-esteem is the positive or negative evaluation of elements of self-concept. It is subjective and varies from person to person.
Distinctions:
- Positive self-esteem can occur even without weight loss, e.g., one might feel better regardless of physical changes.
- Negative self-esteem can prevail despite being physically fit, e.g., feeling bad even while slim.
Hierarchical Nature:
- Self-esteem is influenced by how much value is placed on activities related to self-elements.
- Example: Being perceived as bad at a certain activity doesn't equate to being a bad person.
Influencing factors:
- Self-esteem is often tied to expectations and social comparisons.

Research Overview:
- Global self-concept and self-esteem have been well studied.
- Individuals with the largest discrepancies in perceived vs. actual self may benefit the most from improvements in self-concept and self-esteem.
- Improvements are often seen in physical dimensions.

Self-concept functions as a result of behaviors.
Self-esteem results from behaviors and outcomes, as well as comparisons to others.
Valuation:
- Individuals can adjust the value they assign to self-components, e.g., prioritizing appearance over health or vice versa.

Concepts in self-presentation include:
- Impression Motivation: The desire to present oneself in a specific way.
- Impression Construction: The methods one employs to create that specific impression.

Understanding Identities:
- Composed of various elements that characterize an individual.
- Some identities might hold more value than others, often based on personal characteristics.

Interaction of Identity and Behavior:
- Identity expectations influence behavior.
Consistency:
- Matching behavior with identity leads to coherence in self-perception and social interactions.
- Discrepancy between identity and behavior results in confusion or discomfort.

Definition:
- Role identity is established based on one's relationships with others, alongside personal behaviors.
Evidence of Identity:
- Habits and behaviors serve as indicators of one's identities.
Importance of Definitions:
- Role identity is closely tied to the individual's definitions or expectations for that identity.

Adolescence:
- A critical period for identity formation, characterized by:
- Development of social connections beyond family
- A growing sense of control, meaning, and purpose (Haslam et al., 2005)
Assigned vs. Assumed Identities:
- Can often feel trapped within an identity (either role or social identities) alongside preconceived expectations.
Impact of Sport:
- Sports environments influence multiple forms of identity.
- Examples include:
- Role ID: Being identified as “an athlete” or “a soccer player”
- Social ID: Membership in a specific team

Challenges of Identity Loss:
- Identity loss can foster difficulties, contingent on surrounding circumstances.
Evolution of Athletic Identity:
- Athletic identity can be high during active participation but may decrease post-retirement.
Influencing Factors:
- Factors such as ongoing engagement in sports, satisfaction from sport, and self-complexity can mitigate identity decline.
Warning Signs:
- High levels of athletic identity correlate with reluctance to acknowledge injuries, leading to the propensity to continue playing despite pain, combining strong physical and psychological reactions to injury.
- Over-commitment to rehabilitation may not always lead to functional returns to play.

Dynamics of Identity:
- Identities can change regarding their presence and value over time.
- Aspirational identity:
- Can emerge through practices like journaling, directing individuals towards desired identities as motivation for engagement.
Embracing Complexity:
- It is beneficial to develop, nurture, and accept the complexity and plasticity of self, recognizing the value of possessing multiple identities or components of self.