Define and discuss self-concept. Explain the four basic means through which we develop our self-concept
What will be an ideal response
Self-concept is how we consistently describe ourselves to others; it is deeply rooted and slow to change. Self-concept is not a one-dimensional attribute, but is multidimensional. That is, we have many selves. One of the many frameworks for describing who you are is William James's framework of the three selves: material self, social self, and spiritual self. Basically, there are four means through which we develop our self-concept.
The first is through communication with others. Other people give us feedback about ourselves, either by directly telling us something or through reactions to our behaviors. Because of the strong impact of others on our self-concept, people who are raised in a loving, supportive environment may have a higher self-concept than people who are raised in a harsh, over-critical environment.
The second influence on our self-concept is our association with groups. We label ourselves according to the groups we belong to. We may see ourselves as a Republican, a Catholic, a Texan, or identify with any other group we belong to. In addition, our peer groups have a strong influence on how we see ourselves.
The third influence on our self-concept is our assumed roles. The roles that we have in society in part determine how others treat us. Therefore, we come to see ourselves in light of that role. Gender is a role that affects how people respond to us from birth, thus our gender role becomes a powerful contributor to our self-concept.
The fourth influence on our self-concept is our self-labels. Humans are capable of thinking about themselves (self-reflexiveness), so the labels we use become part of our self-concept. In addition, our beliefs, attitudes, and values become part of our self-labels.
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