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Learning about the 'Self' and how our internal image of ourselves shapes our personality.
Imagine looking into a mirror that doesn't show your face, but instead shows your thoughts, talents, and fears. What would that reflection look like, and how would it change the way you act today?
Your self-concept is the mental 'folder' you keep about yourself. It is a collection of beliefs and facts you hold to be true, such as 'I am a fast runner' or 'I am a brother.' It is different from self-esteem, which is how you feel about those facts. Think of it like a math equation: if your self-concept is the data (), your self-esteem is the value () you assign to it. While self-concept is descriptive ('I am a student'), self-esteem is evaluative ('I am a great student'). Together, they form the foundation of your personality, influencing how you interact with the world around you.
1. Fact (Self-Concept): 'I play the guitar.' 2. Evaluation (Self-Esteem): 'I am proud of my guitar skills.' 3. Result: Because you value this part of your self-concept, you are more likely to be outgoing and confident when music is mentioned.
Quick Check
If a student says, 'I am a tall person,' are they describing their self-concept or their self-esteem?
Answer
Self-concept, because it is a descriptive fact about themselves rather than a judgment of their value.
Psychologists believe our identity is built on three main pillars. First is the Social Pillar, which includes the groups you belong to (like being a 'gamer' or a 'soccer player'). Second is the Internal Pillar, which consists of your personality traits (like being 'shy' or 'adventurous'). Finally, there is the Physical Pillar, which involves your body and skills. We can represent the 'Total Self' () as the sum of these parts:
When these pillars are balanced, your personality feels stable and 'real' to you.
Consider 'Maya': 1. Social: She is a member of the debate team. 2. Internal: She considers herself logical and calm. 3. Physical: She is left-handed and wears glasses. By recognizing all three, Maya understands why she stays calm (Internal) during a debate (Social).
Quick Check
Which pillar of identity is involved when you describe yourself as 'kind' or 'honest'?
Answer
The Internal Pillar.
The way you talk to yourself—your inner monologue—shapes your personality in real-time. This is called self-talk. If your self-talk is consistently negative ('I'm going to fail this'), your brain 'primes' your personality to be withdrawn or anxious. However, positive self-talk ('I can handle this challenge') creates a growth mindset. This doesn't mean lying to yourself; it means focusing on effort over outcome. By changing the 'script' in your head, you can actually change how your personality is expressed to others.
Scenario: You missed the winning shot in a basketball game. 1. Negative Script: 'I am a loser and I let everyone down.' (Result: You quit practicing). 2. Positive Script: 'I missed that shot, but I have the skill to make the next one if I practice my form.' (Result: Your personality shows resilience and determination).
Which of these is an example of 'Self-Concept'?
If you are using the 'Total Self' formula, which pillar does 'being a fast runner' belong to?
Positive self-talk means you have to ignore your mistakes entirely.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to list the three pillars of identity and give one example of each from your own life.
Practice Activity
The 'Script Flip': Next time you think something negative about yourself, pause and rewrite that sentence to focus on a fact or a way to improve.