SELF -

CONCEP
T
What Is
Self-
Self-concept
The material self

Our body, possessions,

and other things in our lives.
The interpersonal self

The views
others hold about
us.
The intrapersonal self

Our emotions, desires,

needs, values, etc. (Epstein,
1973)
Why does
Self-
Concept
Each of us has parts of ourselves that we
believe are the most important (Epstein,
1973). For example, an athlete might view
their athleticism to be of central importance
to their self-concept, even though they also
enjoy cooking and are part of a big family.
How Does Self-Concept
Relate to Well-Being?
PARTS OF SELF-CONCEPT
Self-image, or how you see yourself.
Each individual’s self-image is a mixture
of different attributes including our
physical characteristics, personality
traits, and social roles. Self-image
doesn't necessarily coincide with reality.
Self-esteem, or how much you value yourself.
A number of factors can impact self-esteem
including how we compare ourselves to others
and how others respond to us. When people
respond positively to our behavior, we are
more likely to develop positive self-esteem.
When we compare ourselves to others and
find ourselves lacking, it can have a negative
impact on our self-esteem.
Intrinsic value. This refers to our belief that we
are a good (or not-so-good) person. If we have
intrinsic value, then we value ourselves just for
being who we are. This is also sometimes thought
of as the extent to which we like ourselves.
Instrumental value. This refers to our belief that
we can do good things. If we have instrumental
value, then we value ourselves because of the
things we do. This is also sometimes thought of as
the extent to which we respect ourselves.
Idealself, or how you wish
you could be. In many cases,
the way we see ourselves
and how we would like to
see ourselves do not quite
match up.
Three Parts of Ideal Self
The image of our desired future. This may
include dreams, aspirations, and goals.
Hope. This includes self-efficacy and optimism
(beliefs that we can indeed achieve our goals).
A clear self-concept. This includes an
understanding of our core identity and
enduring traits. Our ideal self needs to fit with
our values, beliefs, and who we are.
The Benefits of Self-
Concept
Happiness.
You will be happier when you can
express who you are.
Expressing your desires will make it
more likely that you get what you
want.
Less inner conflict
When your outside actions
are in accordance with your
inside feelings and values, you
will experience less inner
conflict.
Better decision-making
When you know yourself, you are able to
make better
choices about everything, from small
decisions like which sweater you’ll buy to
big decisions like which partner you’ll
spend your life with. You'll have guidelines
you can apply to solve life’s varied
problems.
SELF - CONTROL
When you know yourself, you
understand what motivates you to
resist bad habits and develop good
ones. You'll have the insight to know
which values and goals activate your
willpower.
Resistance to social pressure

When you are grounded in your

values and preferences, you are less
likely to say “yes” when you want to
say “no.”
Tolerance and understanding of others

Your awareness of your own

foibles and struggles can help
you empathize with others.