2.2 Describe the components of the self-concept and major influences on self-concept development.

PRINCIPLE POINTS: Your self-concept is your interior identity or subjective description of who you think you are. Your self-image is your view of yourself in a particular situation. The self-concept contains three components:

attitudes, beliefs, and values. Philosopher William James believed that three “selves” exist in each of us: the material self, the social self, and the spiritual self. Our self-concept develops through our communication with others, our association with various groups, the roles we assume in our lives, and the labels we use to describe ourselves. Our avowed identity is assigned by ourselves, whereas our ascribed identity involves characteristics other people assign or attribute to us.

PRINCIPLE TERMS:

self self-concept attitudes beliefs values material self social self spiritual self avowed identity ascribed identity self-reflexiveness PRINCIPLE SKILLS: