Unit Two: Self Conceot & Srlf Esteem

Unit 2: Self Concept & Self Esteem

Objectives

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Define self-concept and self-esteem in your own words.

  2. Identify and break down self-imposed barriers and verbalize your personal qualities to enhance your self-image.

  3. List some positive qualities that you see in others and verbalize positive feelings towards others.

  4. Identify how self-concept and self-esteem affect your relationships with other people.

  5. Demonstrate your confidence by being assertive and speaking openly with other people.

Introduction

Welcome to unit 2 on self-concept and self-esteem. By this point, you will have learned the importance of managing your time effectively. Poor time management can lead to unnecessary stress, as carelessness in managing one's time requires additional effort to deal with the resulting pressure.

In this unit, we will examine the concepts of self-concept and self-esteem, key components necessary for academic and life success. Many individuals struggle with low self-concept and self-esteem, and this unit aims to help you improve these vital areas of your life.

Defining Self-Concept and Self-Esteem

Self-concept refers to your own perception of yourself. Baumeister (1999) defines it as "the individual’s belief about himself or herself, including the person’s attributes and who and what the self is." For instance, you might view yourself as a beautiful, intelligent, or kind-hearted person. When discussing self-concept, we refer to the learned beliefs, attitudes, and opinions that shape what we believe to be true about our existence. Every person holds a unique perception of their strengths, weaknesses, abilities, attitudes, and values, indicating that self-concept is essentially the individual's opinion of oneself.

In simpler terms, self-concept is about "what you think you are." This self-concept is developed and maintained through a reflective process, where you act, reflect on those actions, and receive external feedback regarding your behavior. This reflection may lead you to compare your own characteristics and achievements with those of others, revealing that self-concept is learned and shaped by environmental interactions. Importantly, since self-concept is not innate, it can be modified and enhanced through conscious effort.

In contrast, self-esteem refers to how individuals feel about themselves and how they value their own worth. Essentially, self-esteem can be defined as "what you think you are worth." It can vary significantly, where a person may possess either high or low self-esteem. Individuals with high self-esteem recognize their own values and demonstrate respect for others, often becoming assertive in defending their rights. Assertiveness is a key indicator of high self-esteem, as it allows individuals to represent their own interests confidently without feeling the need to concern themselves with how they are perceived by others.

Key Concepts:

  • Self-Concept: Refers to an individual's beliefs and perceptions about themselves, shaped by environmental interactions and personal experiences.

  • Self-Esteem: Reflects how individuals value themselves, with variations from high to low levels.

  • Assertiveness: A behavior stemming from high self-esteem, characterized by a balanced approach between aggressiveness and submissiveness.

Activities

Activity 1: Make a list of the four types of self-concept.

Activity 2: Discuss the meaning of self-concept as not being in-built.

Activity 3: Explain the difficulty some individuals face when revealing personal information to different people.

Types of Behaviour

Assertiveness describes behaviors originating from a belief in equality with others. When a person feels they are as worthy as anyone else, they tend to exhibit assertive behaviors. Conversely, believing oneself to be superior can lead to aggressive behavior, while perceiving oneself as inferior can result in submissive behaviors.

  1. Assertive Behavior: Standing up for your own rights in a way that respects the rights of others, allowing for open expression and acknowledgment of differing viewpoints.

  2. Non-Assertive Behavior: Failing to assert one's rights or doing so in a manner that is not taken seriously by others, often due to insufficient expression of beliefs and feelings.

  3. Aggressive Behavior: Claiming personal rights in a manner that infringes upon the rights of others. This mode of behavior is often characterized by hostility, contempt, and a lack of regard for the opinions of others, manifesting through accusatory language or name-calling.

Individuals may shift between the three modes of behavior depending on the situation, particularly when moving from familiar environments to unfamiliar ones. Feeling comfortable with friends and family may enhance assertiveness, whereas interactions with strangers can introduce anxiety, leading to either aggressive or submissive reactions. Both aggressive and submissive responses can be ineffective, while assertive behavior promotes self-confidence and efficacy in interpersonal communications.

Important Points:

  • Individuals can choose how to interact with others, impacting communication and relationships.

  • Behavior may fall into three categories: assertive, aggressive, and non-assertive, influencing personal expression and social dynamics.

Activities

Activity 4: Define the following terms:

  • a) What is self-concept?

  • b) What is self-esteem?

  • c) What are self-imposed barriers?

  • d) What does it mean to be assertive?

  • e) What is aggressive behavior?

Activity 5: Compare self-concept and self-esteem through a personal example. Discuss the differences between aggressive and assertive behaviors.

Activity 6: Identify personal self-imposed barriers, their impact on life, and strategies to overcome them. Reflect on five positive and five negative attributes about yourself and engage in discussions with friends about self-improvement.

Summary

Self-concept comprises a stable set of perceptions that individuals hold about themselves, which develop over time through interactions within their environments. This concept encompasses various dimensions, including beliefs, talents, intellectual abilities, and physical conditions. Importantly, self-concept can change with appropriate interventions fueled by motivation and willingness to improve oneself.

References

  • Mawuli, L., Peni, G., & Billy, N. (2010). Communication and Life Skills Handbook. University Printery, PNG.

  • McCleod, S. A. (2008). Self Concept. Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/self-concept.html