1. Self-Concept

2. Self-Concept vs. Self-Esteem
Self-Concept = “The relatively stable set of perceptions you hold of yourself.”
Physical appearance
Skills
Social roles
Personality
Emotional state
Self-Esteem = How you feel about your self-concept.
Good or bad evaluations
High and Low Self-Esteem

3. Development of the Self-Concept
Reflected Appraisal - “I see me how I think you see me.”
Social Comparison – How do you measure up?
Superior or Inferior?
Same or Different From Others?

4. Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
“Occur when a person’s expectations of an event and her or his subsequent behavior based on those expectations make the outcome more likely to occur than would otherwise have been true.”
Two Types:
Self-imposed prophecies
Others’ expectations (that are communicated to us)

5. Characteristics of the Self-Concept
The Self-Concept is Subjective:
May be unrealistically favorable, or unrealistically negative
Obsolete information
Distorted feedback
Myth of perfection
High self-esteem may be viewed as being conceited
A Healthy Self-Concept is Flexible
The Self-Concept Resists Change
Appraisals from someone we see as competent to offer it
Appraisal must be highly personal
Appraisal must be reasonable, compared to our current self-concept
Consistent and numerous appraisals are more persuasive

6. So how do you change your self-concept?
Have Realistic Expectations
Have a Realistic Perception of Yourself
Surround Yourself with Supportive People
Be Willing to Change
Attain Skills to Change
Books
Advice (friends, experts, counselors)
Observe others

7. Exercising your Self-Esteem
From McKay, M., Fanning, P., Honeychurch, C., & Sutker, C. (1999). The self-esteem companion. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications.

8. Think back to a time you felt really successful
A Quick Pick-Me-Up
Think back to a time you felt really successful
Remember a time you did something important for someone else
Think of a time you felt really cared for and loved
Relax, can close your eye
Touch your thumb to each finger
Practice this, and can use it as a quick reminder of feeling better
Remember loving someone else

9. Revisioning Your “Critic”
As a Politician
As a Spokesmodel
As a Telemarketer
As a Madman
“Your own worst critic”
Critic is the combination of all the negative things you’ve heard about yourself over the years.
“You’re not good enough”, “You must be stupid”, “You’re lazy”
Critic seems overpowering, intimidating. Revision so that you can fight back more easily.
Politician – not trustworthy, don’t have to believe, can boo and hiss off the stage
Spokesmodel – Selling something you don’t want, just say “no thanks”
Telemarketer – Pushing something on you, you can just hang up and go back to what you were doing
Madman – Try not to make eye-contact and keep on walking
Anything else that will help you to not take the critic so seriously. Any other ideas?

10. A Talk with an Older, Wiser You
Lie down, close your eyes, and relax. Imagine a scene from your young adult life when you broke up with someone, lost a job, failed in school, made a bad decision, damaged a friendship, or experienced some other painful event. Set the scene for yourself with all the people, places, and things necessary to make the memory come to life. Watch the scene and notice what you said and did to contribute to this unfortunate outcome. When the scene is over, take your younger self aside and introduce yourself as a more grown-up version from the future. Comfort your young adult self by saying:
You will learn how to love and be loved
I know you will make a difference in the world
You can be a success on your own terms
You’re acting normally for your age
You’re doing the best you can to survive
Often you have no choice in the matter

11. Include a positive interpretation of your younger self’s behavior
Include a positive interpretation of your younger self’s behavior. Give your younger self a hug and say good-bye. Promise to return when you are needed. Rerun this scene from your young adult’s point of view, and enjoy being reassured and supported by your older self. Then run through the scene once more, acting as you might have if you had it to do over again today, with a more mature perspective. Congratulate yourself on what you have survived and learned in life.

12. Self-Presentation
Identity Management

13. The Private (“Perceived”) Self
The Public (“Presenting”) Self

14. Characteristics of Identity Management
We Construct Multiple Identities/Roles
Identity Management is Collaborative
Impression Management Can Be Intentional or Unconscious
Some People Self-Monitor (Manage their Identities) More than Others