The Self – Developing the Self-Concept

How People Create and Maintain a Set of Stable Beliefs

Sep 9, 2009

The self-concept is one of the two main components of self-knowledge. This article uses scientific evidence to address how it is developed and maintained.

Self-concept is the collection of ideas and beliefs people hold about the self. For example, it may well include "I am a generous and giving individual," "I am creative person who will sacrifice great ends for art" or "I am quiet and reserved, but am very thoughtful."

The Creation of the Self-Concept: Self Perception

One of the main ways in which this is formed is through our own behaviour. The Self Perception Theory was first proposed by Daryl Bem (1967). This describes how a person may alter and arrange their self-concept around actions they have taken. For example, a person who has just given money to a charity may come away with a deeper belief that they are a "kind and caring" person. Whereas a person who has just witnessed a crime or a mugging, and not stepped in to intervene, may well begin to believe that they are "cowardly and interested only in self-protection."

This can even be true of imagined situations. Research by Anderson and Godfrey (1987) reveals that even picturing an event such as taking active part in a recycling program, can make some develop a self-concept that they are an environmentally friendly and concerned person. This reveals how self-concept will mould around actions and thoughts.

The Creation of the Self-Concept: Social Comparison

This suggested that people form their own self-concept through viewing others in a comparative sense. People tend to look at what separates them from the ‘norm’ of everyday society, it may be something as simple as they fact that they are left handed, have several tattoos or like to listen to rare ‘Soviet Jazz’ recordings.

A study by McGuire & McGuire in 1981 found that children asked to describe themselves in a list of characteristics are likely to mention those which appear to separate them from the rest of the classroom (such as wearing glasses, or being lactose- intolerant). This appears to help people to form a more cohesive and individual self-concept which can be distinguish them from the population.

Maintenance of Self-Concept

Self-concept is kept stable by many different mental and psychological inferences and attributions.

One of the key examples is that self-concept is very often seen as a self-fulfilling prophecy. As someone who believes that he is kind and caring will in tend to act more generously in everyday situations, thus reinforcing a particular set of beliefs and self-concept.

Another process that affects self-concept is the phenomenon of selective memory.

People will remember and recall events that support their modern and current self-concept. For example a person who considers himself to be shy and reserved will remember the days he had a peaceful day in the library reading, with a subtle smile. But he will quickly dismiss and even forget the days when he drank ‘til he swayed and hoppled home with a girl on each arm.

This phenomenon has been supported by the findings of many studies. Selective memory helps a person to maintain a consistent self-concept, as it will help reinforce the beliefs a person has of himself. It will lead to much less questioning of the inner beliefs and therefore the comfort of a more entrenched and settled self-concept.

This phenomenon is also reinforced by attribution. A key example of this is the excuse making that will occur when an individual is faced with behaviors that are inconsistent with the regular self-concept. For example, a person who normally believes he is outgoing and confident may well blame the day that he sat quietly alone listening to Brahms on the fact that they were tired and had a lot on their mind. Again, this will give consistency to self-concept, while steadying inner ideals and beliefs.

Self-concept is maintained in order to give a necessary stability to a person’s sense of self. Self-concept is one of the two main parts of the psychology of the self, the other being self-esteem.

The copyright of the article The Self – Developing the Self-Concept in Psychology is owned by Michael Catley. Permission to republish The Self – Developing the Self-Concept in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.