Impact Of Self-Concept And Self-Esteem On Life

The idea or concept one has about the self is related to one's self-esteem and one's outlook on the future.

The self-concept is a set of personal beliefs a person has about who they are as an individual. These include salient personal characteristics as well as ethnic or professional awareness and any other desires or future goals that resonate strongly within the individual.


The Effects of Self-Esteem on the Self and on Mental Health
In order to have a healthy and balanced self-concept, one needs to have positive self-esteem. Self-esteem does not only include one’s characteristics, strengths and flaws, but it makes a judgment on each of those by putting value on them. It is an evaluation one makes of oneself.

People with high self-esteem have not only a clear sense of their personal qualities, but also value them in a positive manner and use self-enhancing strategies; they think well of themselves, set appropriate goals about the future and feel confident about coping with different and difficult situations.

Low self-esteem may contribute to having unrealistic goals or shying away from potential opportunities due to a negative image of the self. They also tend to be pessimistic about the future, be oversensitive to criticism and any kind of negative feedback. In addition, they are also concerned about the social impression and impact they make and have upon others.


Theories about the Development of the Self
According to Erik Erikson, the self is developed through what he calls the stage theory of ego development. Forming an identity does not happen overnight, but it is rather a lifelong task, which passes through a critical phase during adolescence and young adulthood. After acquiring and forming a firm and clear sense of identity, the young adult can make plans about the future with a consistent sense of self and a belief in his or her personal skills and abilities.

Nonetheless, it is important to note that the sense of self does not start during adolescence but has its first stage in infancy with the recognition that one is a separate individual. Even very young children develop conceptions of their personal qualities and have their own equivalent self-concept and a notion of self-esteem. In fact, there is a possibility for changes of the self-concept during middle or late adulthood that may drastically challenge and adjust beliefs about who one is.

The definition and development of the self implies both personal beliefs as well as social influences. It is a continuous procedure that starts in infancy and is moderated and shaped throughout life in a dynamic fashion. Various events or experiences at any time may alter the concepts one has about the self.

Sources:
Taylor, Peplau & Sears. Social Psychology. Prentice Hall: New Jersey, 2000.

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