Self Concept

SELF-CONCEPT Study Guide Nursing & Psychology Concepts

1. Dimensions of Self-Concept

  • Self-concept is made up of three core dimensions:

    • Self-Knowledge

    • Definition: "Who am I?"

    • Self-Expectation

    • Definition: "Who/what I want to be?"

    • Self-Evaluation

    • Definition: "How well do I like myself?"

2. The Three Dimensions in Detail

A. Self-Knowledge

  • Also called the global self

  • Includes:

    • Basic facts

    • Qualities

    • Traits

    • Images

    • Feelings one holds about self

  • Influences:

    • Strongly influences a person's ability to manage life events

    • Affects emotional stability

  • Changeability:

    • Subject to change — it is subjective, not fixed

B. Self-Expectations

  • Represents: One's ideal self

  • Based on: Images of role models

  • Development of False Self:

    • A false self may develop from the expectations of others

C. Self-Evaluation

  • Connection to Maslow's Esteem Needs:

    • Self-Esteem:

    • Elements include strength, achievement, mastery, competence, confidence, independence, freedom

    • Respect Needs:

    • Elements include status, dominance, recognition, attention, importance, appreciation

  • Three Major Self-Evaluation Feelings:

    • Pride: Positive self-evaluation

    • Guilt: Behaviors incongruent with ideal self

    • Shame: Associated with low global self-worth

3. How Self-Concept Develops

  • Developmental Stages:

    • Infant learns that their physical self is different from the environment.

    • If basic needs are met, the child develops positive feelings of self.

    • Child internalizes other people’s attitudes toward self.

    • Child or adult internalizes standards of society.

    • Self-concept begins to form around age 6–7.

4. Factors That Affect Self-Concept

  • Key Influencing Factors:

    • Developmental considerations

    • Culture

    • Internal and external resources

    • History of success and failure

    • Crisis or life stressors

    • Aging, illness, stability, or trauma

5. How We Assess Self-Concept & Self-Esteem

Assessing Self-Concept

  • Areas include:

    • Personal identity

    • Personal strengths

    • Body image

    • Self-esteem

    • Role performance

Assessing Self-Esteem

  • Important areas include:

    • Socialization and communication

    • Significance

    • Competence

    • Virtue

    • Power

6. Nursing Strategies

Identifying Personal Strengths

  • Encourage patients to identify their own strengths.

  • Replace self-negation with positive thinking.

  • Notice and reinforce patient strengths.

  • Encourage patients to will for themselves.

  • Help patients cope with necessary dependency.

Helping Patients Maintain Sense of Self

  • Communicate with looks, speech, and judicious touch.

  • Acknowledge patient status, role, and individuality.

  • Speak to the patient respectfully; address by preferred name.

  • Converse with the patient about their life experiences.

  • Offer simple explanations for procedures.

  • Move the patient’s body respectfully, if necessary.

  • Respect the patient's privacy and sensibilities.

  • Acknowledge and allow expression of negative feelings.

  • Help the patient recognize strengths and explore alternatives.

Enhancing Self-Esteem in Older Adults

  • Identify your own attitudes and feelings about aging.

  • Address seniors respectfully.

  • Respect and affirm seniors' intellect and personal strengths.

  • Adjust communication style for sensory or cognitive deficits.

  • Encourage sharing of life experiences.

  • Provide a safe environment for communication.

  • Advocate for older adults and their needs.

7. Quick Review: Practice Questions

  • What are the 3 dimensions of self-concept?

    • Self-knowledge, Self-expectation, Self-evaluation.

  • What is the 'global self'?

    • The sum of basic facts, qualities, traits, images, and feelings one holds about oneself (part of self-knowledge).

  • What is a 'false self'?

    • A self-concept that develops from internalizing the expectations of others rather than one’s own ideal.

  • At what age does self-concept begin to form?

    • Around age 6–7.

  • What are Maslow's two subsets of Esteem Needs?

    • Self-Esteem (strength, mastery, confidence) and Respect Needs (status, recognition, attention).

  • What feeling is based on positive self-evaluation?

    • Pride.

  • What feeling is associated with low global self-worth?

    • Shame.

  • What feeling results from behaviors incongruent with the ideal self?

    • Guilt.

8. Key Terms at a Glance

  • Self-concept: The overall perception a person holds of themselves.

  • Ideal self: The person one aspires to be (basis of self-expectations).

  • Self-esteem: Feelings of competence, strength, and confidence in oneself.

  • Global self: The broad, overarching sense of who one is.

  • False self: Identity shaped by others' expectations rather than one's own.

  • Role performance: How well a person fulfills expected social roles.

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