What Is Self-Concept?

Self-concept refers to the image we have of ourselves and our behaviors. Learn more about how self-concept develops and how it impacts various areas of our lives.

January 17, 2025 · 11 min · 2198 words · Patricia Mcdaniel

Table of Contents

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat is Self-Concept?How It DevelopsCan It Be Changed?Other Self-Concept TheoriesFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What is Self-Concept?

How It Develops

Can It Be Changed?

Other Self-Concept Theories

Frequently Asked Questions

Close

Other examples of self-concept include:

Our self-perception is important because it affects ourmotivations,attitudes, and behaviors. It also affects how we feel about the person we think we are, including whether we are competent or have self-worth.

Self-concept tends to be more malleable when we’re younger and still going through self-discovery andidentity formation. As we age and learn who we are and what’s important to us, these self-perceptions become much more detailed and organized.

At its most basic, self-concept is a collection of beliefs one holds about oneself and the responses of others. It embodies the answer to the question: “Who am I?” If you want to find your self-concept, list things that describe you as an individual. What are your traits? What do you like? How do you feel about yourself?

How Carl Roger’s Defines Self-Concept

Humanist psychologistCarl Rogersbelieved that self-concept is made up of three distinct parts: ideal self, self-image, and self-esteem. His theory explains what it means when these parts are congruent or incongruent with reality that impacts your self-concept.

Three Parts of Self-Concept

Rogers described the self-concept as being composed of three parts:

Defining Personality in Psychology

Incongruence and Congruence

Self-concept is not always aligned with reality. When it is aligned, it is said to becongruent. If there is a mismatch between how you see yourself (your self-image) and who you wish you were (your ideal self), your self-concept isincongruent. This incongruence can negatively affectself-esteem.

Rogers believed that incongruence has its earliest roots in childhood. When parents place conditions on their affection for their children (e.g., only expressing love if children “earn it” through certain behaviors and living up to the parents' expectations), children begin to distort their memories of experiences that leave them feeling unworthy of their parents' love.

Unconditional love, on the other hand, helps to foster congruence. Children who experience such love—also referred to asfamily love—feel no need to continually distort their memories in order to believe that other people will love and accept them as they are.

Unconditional Love

How Self-Concept Develops

Self-concept develops, in part, through our interaction and observation of others. In addition to family members and close friends, other people in our community and in the media can contribute to our self-identity.

Someone believes in you.For instance, one study found that the more a teacher believes in a high-performing student’s abilities, the higher that student’s self-concept.(Interestingly, no such association was found with lower-performing students.)

The media.Bothmass media and social mediaalso play a role in self-concept development. When these media promote certain ideals, we’re more likely to make those ideals our own. The more often these ideals are presented, the more they affect our self-identity and self-perception.

Can Self-Concept Be Changed?

Self-concept is not static, meaning that it can change.Our environmentplays a role in this process.Placeswe are exposed to, especially those that hold a lot of meaning to us, actively contribute to our future self-concept through how we relate these environments to ourselves and how society relates to them.

Self-concept can also change based on thepeoplewith whom we interact. This is particularly true for individuals in our lives who are in leadership roles. They can impact the collective self (the self in social groups) and the relational self (the self in relationships).

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As with many topics withinpsychology, several other theorists have proposed different ways of thinking about self-concept.

Social psychologist Henri Tajfel developedsocial identity theory,which states that self-concept is composed of two essential parts:

This theory states that oursocial identityinfluences our self-concept, thus affecting our emotions and behaviors. If we’re playing sports, for instance, and our team loses a game, we might feel sad for the team (emotion) or act out against the winning team (behavior).

Multiple Dimensions

Psychologist Bruce A. Bracken had a slightly different theory and believed that self-concept was multidimensional, consisting of six independent traits:

In 1992, Bracken developed the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale, a comprehensive assessment that evaluates each of these six elements of self-concept in children and adolescents.

Self-concept development isneverfinished. Though self-identity is thought to be primarily formed in childhood, your experiences as an adult can also change how you feel about yourself. If your self-esteem increases later in life, for instance, it can improve your self-concept.

It can also affect the way we communicate. If your social group communicates a certain way, you would likely choose to communicate that way as well.Studies on teens have connected high self-concept clarity with more open communication with parents.

Self-concept refers to a broad description of ourselves (“I am a good writer”), while self-esteem includes any judgments or opinions we have of ourselves (“I feel proud to be a good writer”). Put another way, self-concept answers the question: Who am I? Self-esteem answers the question: How do I feel about who I am?

Different cultures have different beliefs. They have different ideas of how dependent or independent one should be, as well as religious beliefs and views of socioeconomic development.

15 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bailey JA 2nd.Self-image, self-concept, and self-identity revisited.J Natl Med Assoc. 2003;95(5):383-386.Mercer S.Self-concept: Situating the self. In: Mercer S, Ryan S, Williams M, eds.Psychology for Language Learning. Palgrave Macmillan; 2012. doi:10.1057/9781137032829_2Argyle M.Social encounters: Contributions to Social Interaction. 1st ed. Routledge; 1973.Koch S.Formulations of the person and the social context. In:Psychology: A Study of a Science. Vol. III.McGraw-Hill;1959:184-256.Pesu L, Viljaranta J, Aunola K.The role of parents' and teachers' beliefs in children’s self-concept development.J App Develop Psychol. 2016;44:63-71. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2016.03.001Vandenbosch L, Eggermont S.The interrelated roles of mass media and social media in adolescents' development of an objectified self-concept: A longitudinal study.Communc Res. 2015. doi:10.1177/0093650215600488Prince D.What about place? Considering the role of physical environment on youth imagining of future possible selves.J Youth Stud. 2014;17(6):697-716. doi:10.1080/13676261.2013.836591Kark R, Shamir B.The dual effect of transformational leadership: Priming relational and collective selves and further effects on followers. In: Avolio BJ, Yammarino FJ, eds.Monographs in Leadership and Management. Vol 5. Emerald Group Publishing Limited; 2013:77-101. doi:10.1108/S1479-357120130000005010Stagg SD, Belcher H.Living with autism without knowing: Receiving a diagnosis in later life.Health Psychol Behav Med. 2019;7(1):348-361. doi:10.1080/21642850.2019.1684920Tajfel H, Turner J.An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In: Hogg MA, Abrams D, eds.Intergroup Relations: Essential Readings.Psychology Press; 2001:94–109.Scheepers D, Ellemers N.Social identity theory. In: Sassenberg K, Vliek MLW, eds.Social Psychology in Action. Springer International Publishing; 2019:129-143. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-13788-5_9Bracken BA.Multidimensional Self Concept Scale. American Psychological Association; 2016. doi:10.1037/t01247-000Sampthirao P.Self-concept and interpersonal communication.Int J Indian Psychol. 2016;3(3):6. doi:10.25215/0303.115Van Dijk MPA, Branje S, Keijsers L, Hawk ST, Hale WW, Meeus W.Self-concept clarity across adolescence: Longitudinal associations with open communication with parents and internalizing symptoms.J Youth Adolesc. 2013;43:1861-1876. doi:10.1007/s10964-013-0055-xVignoles V, Owe E, Becker M, et al.Beyond the ‘east-west’ dichotomy: Global variation in cultural models of selfhood.J Exp Psychol Gen. 2016;145(8):966-1000. doi:10.1037/xge0000175Additional ReadingWeiten W, Dunn DS, Hammer EY.Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century.Cengage Learning; 2014.

15 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Bailey JA 2nd.Self-image, self-concept, and self-identity revisited.J Natl Med Assoc. 2003;95(5):383-386.Mercer S.Self-concept: Situating the self. In: Mercer S, Ryan S, Williams M, eds.Psychology for Language Learning. Palgrave Macmillan; 2012. doi:10.1057/9781137032829_2Argyle M.Social encounters: Contributions to Social Interaction. 1st ed. Routledge; 1973.Koch S.Formulations of the person and the social context. In:Psychology: A Study of a Science. Vol. III.McGraw-Hill;1959:184-256.Pesu L, Viljaranta J, Aunola K.The role of parents' and teachers' beliefs in children’s self-concept development.J App Develop Psychol. 2016;44:63-71. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2016.03.001Vandenbosch L, Eggermont S.The interrelated roles of mass media and social media in adolescents' development of an objectified self-concept: A longitudinal study.Communc Res. 2015. doi:10.1177/0093650215600488Prince D.What about place? Considering the role of physical environment on youth imagining of future possible selves.J Youth Stud. 2014;17(6):697-716. doi:10.1080/13676261.2013.836591Kark R, Shamir B.The dual effect of transformational leadership: Priming relational and collective selves and further effects on followers. In: Avolio BJ, Yammarino FJ, eds.Monographs in Leadership and Management. Vol 5. Emerald Group Publishing Limited; 2013:77-101. doi:10.1108/S1479-357120130000005010Stagg SD, Belcher H.Living with autism without knowing: Receiving a diagnosis in later life.Health Psychol Behav Med. 2019;7(1):348-361. doi:10.1080/21642850.2019.1684920Tajfel H, Turner J.An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In: Hogg MA, Abrams D, eds.Intergroup Relations: Essential Readings.Psychology Press; 2001:94–109.Scheepers D, Ellemers N.Social identity theory. In: Sassenberg K, Vliek MLW, eds.Social Psychology in Action. Springer International Publishing; 2019:129-143. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-13788-5_9Bracken BA.Multidimensional Self Concept Scale. American Psychological Association; 2016. doi:10.1037/t01247-000Sampthirao P.Self-concept and interpersonal communication.Int J Indian Psychol. 2016;3(3):6. doi:10.25215/0303.115Van Dijk MPA, Branje S, Keijsers L, Hawk ST, Hale WW, Meeus W.Self-concept clarity across adolescence: Longitudinal associations with open communication with parents and internalizing symptoms.J Youth Adolesc. 2013;43:1861-1876. doi:10.1007/s10964-013-0055-xVignoles V, Owe E, Becker M, et al.Beyond the ‘east-west’ dichotomy: Global variation in cultural models of selfhood.J Exp Psychol Gen. 2016;145(8):966-1000. doi:10.1037/xge0000175Additional ReadingWeiten W, Dunn DS, Hammer EY.Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century.Cengage Learning; 2014.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Bailey JA 2nd.Self-image, self-concept, and self-identity revisited.J Natl Med Assoc. 2003;95(5):383-386.Mercer S.Self-concept: Situating the self. In: Mercer S, Ryan S, Williams M, eds.Psychology for Language Learning. Palgrave Macmillan; 2012. doi:10.1057/9781137032829_2Argyle M.Social encounters: Contributions to Social Interaction. 1st ed. Routledge; 1973.Koch S.Formulations of the person and the social context. In:Psychology: A Study of a Science. Vol. III.McGraw-Hill;1959:184-256.Pesu L, Viljaranta J, Aunola K.The role of parents' and teachers' beliefs in children’s self-concept development.J App Develop Psychol. 2016;44:63-71. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2016.03.001Vandenbosch L, Eggermont S.The interrelated roles of mass media and social media in adolescents' development of an objectified self-concept: A longitudinal study.Communc Res. 2015. doi:10.1177/0093650215600488Prince D.What about place? Considering the role of physical environment on youth imagining of future possible selves.J Youth Stud. 2014;17(6):697-716. doi:10.1080/13676261.2013.836591Kark R, Shamir B.The dual effect of transformational leadership: Priming relational and collective selves and further effects on followers. In: Avolio BJ, Yammarino FJ, eds.Monographs in Leadership and Management. Vol 5. Emerald Group Publishing Limited; 2013:77-101. doi:10.1108/S1479-357120130000005010Stagg SD, Belcher H.Living with autism without knowing: Receiving a diagnosis in later life.Health Psychol Behav Med. 2019;7(1):348-361. doi:10.1080/21642850.2019.1684920Tajfel H, Turner J.An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In: Hogg MA, Abrams D, eds.Intergroup Relations: Essential Readings.Psychology Press; 2001:94–109.Scheepers D, Ellemers N.Social identity theory. In: Sassenberg K, Vliek MLW, eds.Social Psychology in Action. Springer International Publishing; 2019:129-143. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-13788-5_9Bracken BA.Multidimensional Self Concept Scale. American Psychological Association; 2016. doi:10.1037/t01247-000Sampthirao P.Self-concept and interpersonal communication.Int J Indian Psychol. 2016;3(3):6. doi:10.25215/0303.115Van Dijk MPA, Branje S, Keijsers L, Hawk ST, Hale WW, Meeus W.Self-concept clarity across adolescence: Longitudinal associations with open communication with parents and internalizing symptoms.J Youth Adolesc. 2013;43:1861-1876. doi:10.1007/s10964-013-0055-xVignoles V, Owe E, Becker M, et al.Beyond the ‘east-west’ dichotomy: Global variation in cultural models of selfhood.J Exp Psychol Gen. 2016;145(8):966-1000. doi:10.1037/xge0000175

Bailey JA 2nd.Self-image, self-concept, and self-identity revisited.J Natl Med Assoc. 2003;95(5):383-386.

Mercer S.Self-concept: Situating the self. In: Mercer S, Ryan S, Williams M, eds.Psychology for Language Learning. Palgrave Macmillan; 2012. doi:10.1057/9781137032829_2

Argyle M.Social encounters: Contributions to Social Interaction. 1st ed. Routledge; 1973.

Koch S.Formulations of the person and the social context. In:Psychology: A Study of a Science. Vol. III.McGraw-Hill;1959:184-256.

Pesu L, Viljaranta J, Aunola K.The role of parents' and teachers' beliefs in children’s self-concept development.J App Develop Psychol. 2016;44:63-71. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2016.03.001

Vandenbosch L, Eggermont S.The interrelated roles of mass media and social media in adolescents' development of an objectified self-concept: A longitudinal study.Communc Res. 2015. doi:10.1177/0093650215600488

Prince D.What about place? Considering the role of physical environment on youth imagining of future possible selves.J Youth Stud. 2014;17(6):697-716. doi:10.1080/13676261.2013.836591

Kark R, Shamir B.The dual effect of transformational leadership: Priming relational and collective selves and further effects on followers. In: Avolio BJ, Yammarino FJ, eds.Monographs in Leadership and Management. Vol 5. Emerald Group Publishing Limited; 2013:77-101. doi:10.1108/S1479-357120130000005010

Stagg SD, Belcher H.Living with autism without knowing: Receiving a diagnosis in later life.Health Psychol Behav Med. 2019;7(1):348-361. doi:10.1080/21642850.2019.1684920

Tajfel H, Turner J.An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In: Hogg MA, Abrams D, eds.Intergroup Relations: Essential Readings.Psychology Press; 2001:94–109.

Scheepers D, Ellemers N.Social identity theory. In: Sassenberg K, Vliek MLW, eds.Social Psychology in Action. Springer International Publishing; 2019:129-143. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-13788-5_9

Bracken BA.Multidimensional Self Concept Scale. American Psychological Association; 2016. doi:10.1037/t01247-000

Sampthirao P.Self-concept and interpersonal communication.Int J Indian Psychol. 2016;3(3):6. doi:10.25215/0303.115

Van Dijk MPA, Branje S, Keijsers L, Hawk ST, Hale WW, Meeus W.Self-concept clarity across adolescence: Longitudinal associations with open communication with parents and internalizing symptoms.J Youth Adolesc. 2013;43:1861-1876. doi:10.1007/s10964-013-0055-x

Vignoles V, Owe E, Becker M, et al.Beyond the ‘east-west’ dichotomy: Global variation in cultural models of selfhood.J Exp Psychol Gen. 2016;145(8):966-1000. doi:10.1037/xge0000175

Weiten W, Dunn DS, Hammer EY.Psychology Applied to Modern Life: Adjustment in the 21st Century.Cengage Learning; 2014.

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