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Handout 2:Self image and esteem

Links to Learning outcome 1Assessment criteria1.2 1.3

The concept of self is usually considered in terms of self image ie the person we think we are; and self esteem, which is concerned with the worth we attach to that self image.

Self-esteem is the value we place on ourselves.

  • It is the feeling we have about all the things we see ourselves to be.
  • It is the knowledge that we are lovable, we are capable, and we are unique.
  • Good self-esteem means having a sense of self worth, a positive outlook on life,being satisfied with who you are and having goals in life which are realistic and attainable.

William Jamesthought that the self could be further divided into:

  • Spiritualself: is concerned with how we think and feel about ourselves what we would most truly seem to be. This could be in terms of our abilities, sense of morality, mental superiority, sense of competence, degree of will power, and level of control that we can exert over the world.
  • Materialself: uses possessions, eg a house in the right location, a car, the latest technology, as a means of describing the self. This can be borne out today with the increasing fascination for ‘designer’ clothes, handbags and logos. As the material self may form a significant portion of the self concept anything which interferes with the expression of the material self, eg poverty, disability, unemployment, may have an important impact on the self concept.
  • Social self: is concerned with how we see ourselves in terms of other people eg mother, partner, friends, children and colleagues. These people are important because they offer support, recognition, role definition and reinforcement for the self we adopt. It is important how they think of us, too.
  • Bodily self:this expresses itself through our physical appearance --the shape of our bodies, the clothing we wear and how we style our hair, all contribute to our sense of bodily self. This is also very relevant today with ‘body fascism’ and the fascination with being thin and having the perfect body linked to happiness. Some people do not subscribe to this and even attempt to diminish that importance by ignoring their appearance. They would rather be valued for who they are not what they look like.

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