Definition of self-concept

The word self implies some complexity since it refers to the a person's image of itself. The explanation given to the word is that the self-concept is the concept or idea, image which one makes about himself from not only what he sees in the mirror, but also a host of variables that are added to complete the image. Although this may seem simple, the self-concept of a person is always the result of a number of elements such as physical appearance, capabilities, history, family context, successes and failures, environment in which that person was raised, social environment, etc. All people have a self-concept or picture of themselves, and can be in some cases very high and very low. Of course, this will depend on all those elements mentioned and their unique and peculiar combination. The self-concept of a person is made based on many elements such as those who have already been mentioned. However, it is also important to point out that this image may vary and change over the years according to the type of situations that the individual live. Thus, a person who could have a high esteem of herself and therefore have a high self-concept may suffer a traumatic experience which makes her vulnerable and fragile. This in many cases can cause a severe identity crisis since it disrupts the way the person moved in society, acted and behaved in front of the others.
It is also interesting to mark that self-concept a person generated can not be shown openly to the rest of the people. This is true in many cases when the person is shown as someone hard, resistant and indifferent when this actually acts as a screen to cover the uncertainties that that individual has. Thus, someone's self-concept may be the cause of a specific attitude which may appear voluntarily or unconscious.
Finally, the consolidation of a certain type of self-concept is characteristic of each space in which one moves. In this sense, in certain occupational areas in which there is much competition between pairs is looking for people with a self-concept or a high image of themselves that allow you to demonstrate confidence and strength in any situation.