self concept essay introduction

What Is Self-Concept and Why Does It Matter?

Learn about your self-concept and how it affects well-being..

Posted September 1, 2021 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

Our self-concept is the image we have of our bodies, capabilities, impressions, etc. (Bailey, 2003). It includes:

• The material self. Our body, possessions, and other things in our lives.
• The interpersonal self. The views others hold about us.
• The intrapersonal self. Our emotions, desires, needs, values, etc. (Epstein, 1973)

Research psychologists noticed that the way we see ourselves is often similar to the way others see us. This finding is referred to as the looking-glass self (Epstein, 1973). This research taught us that much of our self-concept emerges from the social interactions we have with others. Our 'self' emerges based on the information others tell us about who we are.

Our self-concept also includes the self-awareness that we are part of categories based on our age, gender , race, etc. Some people theorize that self-concept is like the glue that holds all the pieces of our personality together. And, at its most basic, self-concept is the answer we give when asked the question "Who am I?"

Why Does the Self-Concept Matter?

Each of us has parts of ourselves that we believe are the most important (Epstein, 1973). For example, an athlete might view their athleticism to be of central importance to their self-concept, even though they also enjoy cooking and are part of a big family. Some have even suggested that the self is arranged hierarchically, with relatively important parts above less important parts. But each of us decides which parts are important to us.

​As we experience new things and gain additional information from others, the self-concept may determine which new aspects of personality are acceptable. If new parts don't jibe with the old parts, they may not be allowed, thus ensuring that our sense of self remains reliable and intact (Epstein, 1973). As we grow older, contradictory evidence may have less impact on our self-concept. So it can become harder to integrate external information, particularly if it disrupts important aspects of the self-concept.

How Does Self-Concept Relate to Well-Being?

Several aspects of the self-concept also play a role in well-being . These include:

• Self-image: The way you see yourself.
• Self-esteem (or self-worth): The extent to which you value yourself or believe you have worth.
• Ideal self: The vision you have of your best self.

Self-image ​

The terms self-image and self-concept are sometimes used interchangeably, but more often, self-image is defined as how you see yourself. This may be literal, like when looking in the mirror. But it can also involve mental representations of yourself. These may or may not be consistent with what one actually sees in the mirror.

Self-esteem (or self-worth)

Self-esteem is broadly defined as the extent to which we like or value ourselves. This generally includes evaluating two parts of ourselves (Tafarodi & Swann Jr, 2001):

• Intrinsic value. This refers to our belief that we are a good (or not-so-good) person. If we have intrinsic value, then we value ourselves just for being who we are. This is also sometimes thought of as the extent to which we like ourselves.
• Instrumental value. This refers to our belief that we can do good things. If we have instrumental value, then we value ourselves because of the things we do. This is also sometimes thought of as the extent to which we respect ourselves.

The ideal self is defined as the self we would like to be—our best self. It appears to originate from the ideal selves that our parents hold for us and communicate to us through childhood (Zentner & Renaud, 2007).

​In positive psychology, the ideal self is thought to include three parts (Boyatzis, & Akrivou, 2006):

• The image of our desired future. This may include dreams , aspirations, and goals .
• Hope. This includes self-efficacy and optimism (beliefs that we can indeed achieve our goals).
• A clear self-concept. This includes an understanding of our core identity and enduring traits. Our ideal self needs to fit with our values, beliefs, and who we are.

Our ideal self is a vision of what we could be or do. That's why the ideal self is thought to be a helpful motivator—it inspires us to progress toward goals and improve our lives in beneficial ways. It may also include aspirations, passions, dreams, and purpose—all things that tend to be good for our well-being.

Our self-concept is an important guiding principle that helps us navigate the world and understand our role in it. Parts of our self-concept may be good or not-so-good for our well-being. That's why learning more about our own self-concept can be beneficial.

Adapted from an article published by The Berkeley Well-Being Institute .

​Bailey 2nd, J. A. (2003). Self-image, self-concept, and self-identity revisited. Journal of the National Medical Association, 95(5), 383.

​Boyatzis, R. E., & Akrivou, K. (2006). The ideal self as the driver of intentional change. Journal of management development.

Epstein, S. (1973). The self-concept revisited: Or a theory of a theory. American psychologist, 28(5), 404.

​Tafarodi, R. W., & Swann Jr, W. B. (2001). Two-dimensional self-esteem: Theory and measurement. Personality and individual Differences, 31(5), 653-673.

​Zentner, M., & Renaud, O. (2007). Origins of adolescents' ideal self: An intergenerational perspective. Journal of personality and social psychology, 92(3), 557​

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. , is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology.

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Self-Concept in Psychology: Definition & Examples

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Saul McLeod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

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The self-concept is a general term for how someone thinks about, evaluates, or perceives themselves. To be aware of oneself is to have a concept of oneself.

It’s formed through experiences, interactions, and reflections, and plays a pivotal role in influencing behavior, emotions, and interpersonal relationships. A healthy self-concept promotes well-being, while a negative one can lead to emotional and social challenges.

Baumeister (1999) provides the following self-concept definition: “The individual’s belief about himself or herself, including the person’s attributes and who and what the self is.”

The self-concept is an important term for both social and humanistic psychology . Lewis (1990) suggests that the development of a concept of self has two aspects:

(1) The Existential Self

This is “the most basic part of the self-scheme or self-concept; the sense of being separate and distinct from others and the awareness of the constancy of the self” (Bee, 1992).

The existential self is a concept within developmental psychology, particularly in the study of infant development. It refers to the basic and most fundamental understanding that an individual exists as a separate and distinct entity from others.

This realization typically begins in infancy, as early as a few months old, when a baby recognizes its existence apart from the external world.

The child realizes that they exist as a separate entity from others and continue to exist over time and space.

The existential self is the foundation upon which more complex aspects of self-concept, like the categorical self (understanding oneself in terms of categorical memberships like gender, skills, and age), are built.

According to Lewis (1990), awareness of the existential self begins as young as two to three months old and arises in part due to the child’s relationship with the world. For example, the child smiles, and someone smiles back, or the child touches a mobile and sees it move.

(2) The Categorical Self

Having realized that he or she exists as a separate experiencing being, the child becomes aware that he or she is also an object in the world.

The categorical self involves the understanding that one can be categorized into various groups based on traits, roles, and attributes.

Just as other objects, including people, have properties that can be experienced (big, small, red, smooth, and so on), so the child is becoming aware of himself or herself as an object which can be experienced and which has properties.

The self, too, can be put into categories such as age, gender, size, or skill. Two of the first categories to be applied are age (“I am 3”) and gender (“I am a girl”).

In early childhood, the categories children apply to themselves are very concrete (e.g., hair color, height, and favorite things). Later, self-description also begins to include reference to internal psychological traits, comparative evaluations, and how others see them.

For instance, a child might identify as being a “big boy” or “big girl,” differentiate themselves by saying they have “brown hair,” or later recognize they are “good at drawing.” The categorical self lays the foundation for more intricate self-identifications as one matures.

Self-image refers to the mental representation or picture that individuals have of themselves, encompassing both physical appearance and personal traits.

It’s how people perceive themselves and believe others perceive them. Personal experiences, interactions with others, societal standards, and media influences, can shape this perception.

This does not necessarily have to reflect reality. Indeed, a person with anorexia who is thin may have a self-image in which the person believes they are fat.

A person’s self-image is affected by many factors, such as parental influences, friends, the media, etc.

Self-image is a significant component of one’s overall self-concept and is crucial to self-esteem and confidence. It can influence behavior, choices, relationships, and overall mental well-being. Over time, a person’s self-image can change based on experiences, feedback, achievements, and personal reflections.

The Twenty Statements Test

Kuhn (1960) investigated the self-image by using The Twenty Statements Test .

He asked people to answer “Who am I?” in 20 different ways.

He found that the responses could be divided into two major groups. These were social roles (external or objective aspects of oneself such as son, teacher, friend) and personality traits (internal or affective aspects of oneself such as gregarious, impatient, humorous).

The list of answers to the question “Who Am I?” probably includes examples of each of the following four types of responses:

• Physical Description : I’m tall, have blue eyes…etc.
• Social Roles : We are all social beings whose behavior is shaped to some extent by the roles we play. Such roles as student, housewife, or member of the football team not only help others to recognize us but also help us to know what is expected of us in various situations.
• Personal Traits : These are the third dimension of our self-descriptions. “I’m impulsive…I’m generous…I tend to worry a lot,”…etc.
• Existential Statements (abstract ones): These can range from “I’m a child of the universe” to “I’m a human being” to “I’m a spiritual being, “…etc.

Typically, young people describe themselves more in terms of personal traits, whereas older people feel defined to a greater extent by their social roles.

Actual Self

The actual self is how individuals currently see themselves based on their self-awareness and introspection. It represents the attributes, roles, competencies, and characteristics that a person believes they genuinely possess at the present moment.

While “actual self” and “self-image” are closely related and often used interchangeably in casual discussions, they are distinct concepts within the realm of psychology. Here’s a breakdown of the differences:

• Represents an individual’s current perception of themselves based on attributes, roles, and abilities they believe they genuinely possess.
• Serves as a baseline for comparison with other self-representations, like the ideal self or ought self.
• Refers to the mental representation or picture an individual has of themselves.
• It encompasses both physical appearance and perceived personal traits.
• Self-image is about how people perceive themselves and how they believe they are seen by others.

In essence, the “actual self” is a broader construct that might include one’s self-image as a component.

The actual self covers the entirety of an individual’s current self-perception, while the self-image focuses more on the visual or representational aspect and perceived traits.

Both, however, are integral parts of an individual’s overall self-concept.

Self-Esteem

Self-esteem (also known as self-worth) refers to the extent to which we like, accept, or approve of ourselves or how much we value ourselves.

Self-esteem always involves a degree of evaluation, and we may have either a positive or a negative view of ourselves.

Factors influencing self-esteem include:

• Childhood experiences
• Feedback from others
• Comparisons with peers
• Societal standards and cultural influences
• Personal achievements or failures

High Self-Esteem : Individuals with high self-esteem generally believe that they have good qualities and value themselves positively. They often handle life challenges better, are more resilient, and have a positive outlook on life.

• Confidence in our own abilities
• Self-acceptance
• Not worrying about what others think

Low Self-Esteem: Those with low self-esteem tend to view themselves negatively, doubt their abilities, and are more critical of themselves. They are more susceptible to experiencing feelings of worthlessness, depression, and anxiety.

• Lack of confidence
• Want to be/look like someone else
• Always worrying about what others might think

Having a balanced self-esteem is crucial for mental well-being. While high self-esteem is generally beneficial, overly inflated self-esteem can lead to narcissism . On the other hand, chronically low self-esteem can contribute to a host of psychological issues, including depression and anxiety.

Measurement

There are several ways of measuring self-esteem. For example, Harrill Self-Esteem Inventory is a questionnaire comprising 15 statements about a range of interests.

Another example is the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), which is a neutral cartoon given to the participant, who then has to devise a story about what’s going on.

Argyle (2008) believes 4 major factors influence self-esteem.

1. The Reaction of Others

If people admire us, flatter us, seek out our company, listen attentively and agree with us, we tend to develop a positive self-image.

If they avoid, neglect, and tell us things about ourselves that we don’t want to hear, we develop a negative self-image.

2. Comparison with Others

If the people we compare ourselves with (our reference group) appear to be more successful, happier, richer, and better looking than ourselves, we tend to develop a negative self-image, BUT if they are less successful than us, our image will be positive.

3. Social Roles

Some social roles carry prestige, e.g., doctor, airline pilot, TV presenter, and premiership footballer, and this promotes self-esteem.

Other roles carry a stigma. E.g., a prisoner, mental hospital patient, refuse collector, or unemployed person.

4. Identification

Roles aren’t just “out there.” They also become part of our personality, i.e., we identify with the positions we occupy, the roles we play, and the groups we belong to.

But just as important as all these factors are the influence of our parents! (See Coopersmith’s research.)

Experiments

Morse and Gergen (1970) showed that our self-esteem might change rapidly in uncertain or anxiety-arousing situations.

Participants were waiting for a job interview in a waiting room. They sat with another candidate (a confederate of the experimenter) in one of two conditions:

A) Mr. Clean – dressed in a smart suit, carrying a briefcase opened to reveal a slide rule and books.

B) Mr. Dirty – dressed in an old T-shirt and jeans, slouched over a cheap sex novel.

The self-esteem of participants with Mr. Dirty increased whilst those with Mr. Clean decreased! No mention was made of how this affected the subjects’ performance in the interview.

Self-esteem affects performance at numerous tasks, though (Coopersmith, 1967), so one could expect Mr. Dirty’s subjects to perform better than Mr. Clean.

Even though self-esteem might fluctuate, there are times when we continue to believe good things about ourselves, even when evidence to the contrary exists. This is known as the perseverance effect.

Miller and Ross (1975) showed that people who believed they had socially desirable characteristics continued in this belief even when the experimenters tried to get them to believe the opposite.

Does the same thing happen with bad things if we have low self-esteem?  Maybe not. Perhaps with very low self-esteem, all we believe about ourselves might be bad.

The ideal self refers to the person an individual aspires to become. It embodies one’s goals, ambitions, and dreams, encompassing attributes, behaviors, and traits a person values and wishes to possess. This concept is pivotal in understanding personal development and self-concept.

Key points about the ideal self:

• Comparison with Real Self: The ideal self stands in contrast to the “real self,” which represents how a person currently sees themselves. The gap between these two concepts can influence self-esteem. A smaller gap can lead to higher self-esteem, while a larger gap can result in feelings of dissatisfaction or inadequacy.
• Dynamic Nature: The ideal self is not static; it evolves based on life experiences, societal influences, personal aspirations, and changing values.
• Motivation: The ideal self can serve as a motivational force, pushing individuals to pursue personal growth, learn new skills, and strive for self-improvement.
• Potential Pitfalls: While the ideal self can be a source of inspiration, an unattainable or overly perfectionistic ideal self can lead to disappointment, low self-esteem, and mental distress.

Carl Rogers, a humanistic psychologist, emphasized the importance of achieving congruence between the real self and the ideal self for overall psychological well-being.

If there is a mismatch between how you see yourself (e.g., your self-image) and what you’d like to be (e.g., your ideal self), this will likely affect how much you value yourself.

Therefore, there is an intimate relationship between self-image, ego-ideal, and self-esteem. Humanistic psychologists study this using the Q-Sort Method .

A person’s ideal self may not be consistent with what actually happens in the life and experiences of the person. Hence, a difference may exist between a person’s ideal self and actual experience. This is called incongruence.

Where a person’s ideal self and actual experience are consistent or very similar, a state of congruence exists. Rarely, if ever, does a total state of congruence exist; all people experience a certain amount of incongruence.

The development of congruence is dependent on unconditional positive regard . Rogers believed that for a person to achieve self-actualization , they must be in a state of congruence.

Michael Argyle (2008) says there are four major factors that influence its development:

• The ways in which others (particularly significant others) react to us.
• How we think we compare to others
• Our social roles
• The extent to which we identify with other people

Argyle, M. (2008). Social encounters: Contributions to social interaction . Aldine Transaction

Baumeister, R. F. (Ed.) (1999). The self in social psychology . Philadelphia, PA: Psychology Press (Taylor & Francis).

Bee, H. L. (1992). The developing child . London: HarperCollins.

Coopersmith, S. (1967). The antecedents of self-esteem . San Francisco: Freeman.

Kuhn, M. H. (1960). Self-attitudes by age, sex and professional training. Sociological Quarterly , 1, 39-56.

Lewis, M. (1990). Self-knowledge and social development in early life. In L. A. Pervin (Ed.), Handbook of personality (pp. 277-300). New York: Guilford.

Miller, D. T., & Ross, M. (1975). Self-serving biases in the attribution of causality: Fact or fiction? Psychological Bulletin, 82, 213–225

Morse, S. J. & Gergen, K. J. (1970). Social comparison, self-consistency and the concept of self. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 16, 148-156.

Rogers, C. (1959). A theory of therapy, personality and interpersonal relationships as developed in the client-centered framework. In (ed.) S. Koch, Psychology: A study of a science. Vol. 3: Formulations of the person and the social context . New York: McGraw Hill.

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What Is Self-Concept?

The Fundamental "Who Am I?" Question

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS, is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor, speaker, wellness expert specializing in eating behaviors, stress management, and health behavior change.

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• What is Self-Concept?
• How It Develops
• Can It Be Changed?

Other Self-Concept Theories

Frequently asked questions.

Self-concept is the image we have of ourselves. It is influenced by many forces, including our interaction with the important people in our lives. It is how we perceive our behaviors, abilities, and unique characteristics. For example, beliefs such as "I am a good friend" or "I am a kind person" are part of an overall self-concept.

Other examples of self-concept include:

• How you view your personality traits , such as whether you are an extrovert or introvert
• How you see your roles in life, such as whether you feel that being a parent, sibling, friend, and partner are important parts of your identity
• The hobbies or passions that are important to your sense of identity, such as being a sports enthusiast or belonging to a particular political party or religious group
• How you feel about your interactions with the world, such as whether you think that you are contributing to society

Our self-perception is important because it affects our motivations , attitudes, and behaviors . It also affects how we feel about the person we think we are, including whether we are competent or have self-worth.

Self-concept tends to be more malleable when we're younger and still going through self-discovery and identity formation . As we age and learn who we are and what's important to us, these self-perceptions become much more detailed and organized.

At its most basic, self-concept is a collection of beliefs one holds about oneself and the responses of others. It embodies the answer to the question: " Who am I? " If you want to find your self-concept, list things that describe you as an individual. What are your traits? What do you like? How do you feel about yourself?

How Carl Roger's Defines Self-Concept

Humanist psychologist  Carl Rogers believed that self-concept is made up of three distinct parts: ideal self, self-image, and self-esteem. His theory explains what it means when these parts are congruent or incongruent with reality that impacts your self-concept.

Three Parts of Self-Concept

Rogers described the self-concept as being composed of three parts:

• Ideal self : The ideal self is the person you want to be . This person has the attributes or qualities you are either working toward or want to possess. It's who you envision yourself to be if you were exactly the person you wanted to be.
• Self-image : Self-image refers to how you see yourself at this moment in time. Physical characteristics, personality traits , and social roles affect your self-image.
• Self-esteem : How much you like, accept, and value yourself contributes to your self-concept. Self-esteem can be affected by a number of factors, including how others see you, how you think you compare to others, and your role in society.

Incongruence and Congruence

Self-concept is not always aligned with reality. When it is aligned, it is said to be congruent . If there is a mismatch between how you see yourself (your self-image) and who you wish you were (your ideal self), your self-concept is incongruent . This incongruence can negatively affect self-esteem .

Rogers believed that incongruence has its earliest roots in childhood. When parents place conditions on their affection for their children (e.g., only expressing love if children "earn it" through certain behaviors and living up to the parents' expectations), children begin to distort their memories of experiences that leave them feeling unworthy of their parents' love.

Unconditional love , on the other hand, helps to foster congruence. Children who experience such love—also referred to as family love —feel no need to continually distort their memories in order to believe that other people will love and accept them as they are.

Unconditional Love

Unconditional love , on the other hand, helps to foster congruence between self-concept and reality and thereby nurtures positive self-esteem.

How Self-Concept Develops

Self-concept develops, in part, through our interaction and observation of others. In addition to family members and close friends, other people in our community and in the media can contribute to our self-identity.

Someone believes in you. For instance, one study found that the more a teacher believes in a high-performing student's abilities, the higher that student's self-concept. (Interestingly, no such association was found with lower-performing students.)

The characters we identify with. Self-concept can also be developed through the stories we hear. For example, one study found that female readers who were "deeply transported" into a story about a leading character with a traditional gender role had a more  feminist self-concept  than those who weren't as moved by the story. Thus, relating to and identifying with the character may affect your emotional response and confirm or alter your own ideas about yourself.

The media. Both mass media and social media also play a role in self-concept development. When these media promote certain ideals, we're more likely to make those ideals our own. The more often these ideals are presented, the more they affect our self-identity and self-perception.

Can Self-Concept Be Changed?

Self-concept is not static, meaning that it can change. Our environment plays a role in this process. Places we are exposed to, especially those that hold a lot of meaning to us, actively contribute to our future self-concept through how we relate these environments to ourselves and how society relates to them.

Self-concept can also change based on the people with whom we interact. This is particularly true for individuals in our lives who are in leadership roles. They can impact the collective self (the self in social groups) and the relational self (the self in relationships).

In some cases, a medical diagnosis can change self-concept by helping people understand why they feel the way they do—such as someone receiving an autism diagnosis later in life, finally providing clarity as to why they feel different.

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As with many topics within psychology , several other theorists have proposed different ways of thinking about self-concept.

Social Identity

Social psychologist Henri Tajfel developed social identity theory, which states that self-concept is composed of two essential parts:

• Personal identity : The traits and other characteristics that make you unique
• Social identity : Who you are based on your membership in social groups, such as sports teams, religions, political parties, or social class

This theory states that our social identity influences our self-concept, thus affecting our emotions and behaviors. If we're playing sports, for instance, and our team loses a game, we might feel sad for the team (emotion) or act out against the winning team (behavior).

Multiple Dimensions

Psychologist Bruce A. Bracken had a slightly different theory and believed that self-concept was multidimensional, consisting of six independent traits:

• Academic : Success or failure in school
• Affect : Awareness of emotional states
• Competence : Ability to meet basic needs
• Family : How well you work in your family unit
• Physical : How you feel about your looks, health, physical condition, and overall appearance
• Social : Ability to interact with others

In 1992, Bracken developed the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale, a comprehensive assessment that evaluates each of these six elements of self-concept in children and adolescents.

Self-concept development is never finished. Though self-identity is thought to be primarily formed in childhood, your experiences as an adult can also change how you feel about yourself. If your self-esteem increases later in life, for instance, it can improve your self-concept.

Our self-concept can affect the method by which we communicate. If you feel you are a good writer, for instance, you may prefer to communicate in writing versus speaking with others.

It can also affect the way we communicate. If your social group communicates a certain way, you would likely choose to communicate that way as well. Studies on teens have connected high self-concept clarity with more open communication with parents.

Self-concept refers to a broad description of ourselves ("I am a good writer"), while self-esteem includes any judgments or opinions we have of ourselves ("I feel proud to be a good writer"). Put another way, self-concept answers the question: Who am I? Self-esteem answers the question: How do I feel about who I am?

Our self-concept impacts how we respond to life, so a well-developed self-concept helps us respond in ways that are more positive and beneficial for us and those around us. One of the ways it does this is by enabling us to recognize our worth. A well-developed self-concept also helps keep us from internalizing negative feedback from others.

Different cultures have different beliefs. They have different ideas of how dependent or independent one should be, as well as religious beliefs and views of socioeconomic development.

All of these cultural norms influence self-concept by providing the structure of what is expected within that society and how one sees oneself in relation to others.

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Van Dijk MPA, Branje S, Keijsers L, Hawk ST, Hale WW, Meeus W. Self-concept clarity across adolescence: Longitudinal associations with open communication with parents and internalizing symptoms . J Youth Adolesc . 2013;43:1861-1876. doi:10.1007/s10964-013-0055-x

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By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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Relation Between Self-concept and Self-motivation

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Understanding The Notion of Personal Perception

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An Introduction to Self-Concept Theory: How self-perception shapes behavior

• Sean-Jason Schat Redeemer University

Invitational Theory is rooted in three theoretical foundations, the perceptual tradition, self-concept theory, and a democratic ethos (Purkey, Novak, and Fretz, 2020). This essay focuses on the second of these foundations, Self-Concept Theory. Self-Concept Theory provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the nature and impact of each individual’s most fundamental perception, the perception of self, or their self- concept. In this essay the author seeks to re-introduce the Invitational community to this important theoretical foundation, which could profoundly and positively impact the enacting and application of invitational theory. All human behavior is fundamentally shaped by how the individual perceives themselves. The author begins by providing an overview of self-concept theory, exploring some of the central tenets and implications. The author then reviews the history of the development of the theory, followed by a summary of some of the theory’s foundational elements. The essay concludes with an exploration of several potential implications and applications for the Invitational community.

74 Self-Concept Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best self-concept topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 good essay topics on self-concept, 🔎 simple & easy self-concept essay titles.

• Descartes’ Self-Concept Construction A careful study of his masterpiece entitled, Meditations can lead one to conclude that his concept of the self was the byproduct of the combination of the use of his physical senses, common sense, and […]
• The Concept of Identity in the ‘Song of Myself’ by Walt Whitman The author of the poem makes it clear to the reader that he will talk about a specific living person who is not an abstraction and exists in the physical world.
• Aspects of Self-Concept Essay I believe that my relational self concept is healthy as I always try to protect, enhance, and maintain a healthy relationship with other people.
• Dimensions of the Self-Concept The self-concept of skills and abilities of a person reveal the personal opportunities and talents in certain spheres of the life.
• The Sane Deep-Self View: Concept of Susan Woolf Susan Wolf answers this question by saying that free will is compatible with moral responsibility; moreover, it is a necessary condition of the latter. Thus, uniform for all concept of free will in its correlation […]
• The Self Concept of Individuals The relationship between self concept and self-esteem is clearly pointed out in the paper. It discusses how an individual’s self-esteem and behavior is influenced by the perception of the self.
• Sigmund Freud’s Concepts of Self and Other This is one of the first aspects that can be distinguished. This is one of the aspects that can be identified.
• Concepts of Self-Knowledge Up to this point, they think that the concept of self-knowledge is dangerous and difficult as it is not good to infer to other people’s affairs or intentions.
• Concept of Self, Self-Esteem, and Behavior The concept of the self According to McLeod self concept is the perception that an individual holds about him or herself.
• What is a Self-Concept? The social references relate to the self-concepts of the system or to the individualism. On the other hand, the functionalism and structuralism indicates the importance of the manipulative pressure of the social arrangement on the […]
• The Social Self Concept and Arguments When we approach the self this way, we miss other crucial aspects of the self which include the spiritual self, the material self and the pure ego.
• The Self Concept Criterion and Its Significance on International Marketing Based on this observation, it is a good idea for a firm that aspires to join the global markets to understand the dynamics of international marketing first, and try to adopt marketing strategies that would […]
• The Self as a Concept of Identity in the Society It is notable that the first instance of creation of identity arises from outside the body of an individual. Finally, one develops a concept of self that depends on generalized others, which is a conception […]
• The Physical Self Concept Analysis Siegelman and Rider also describe the physical growth in terms of proximodistal concept where the internal organs and chest are said to grow faster during the early period of infancy and then the growth spreads […]
• Self Concept and Self Esteem in Interpersonal Communication Low self-esteem is associated with a person’s emotional response to self-perception and social expectation. Low-self esteem is associated with the feeling of failure to meet social expectation.
• The Concept of Self or Identity The concept of self is defined as the characteristics which make an individual unique from other people. It is the responsibility of the id to cater for the needs and desires an individual.
• The Concept of Self: Ideal, Aught and Actual Domains In essence, the ideal self, as evidenced from my experiences with my parents, is the person others want you to be. The actual self domain of these women may compel them to find a balance […]
• The Concept of “Looking Glass Self” In line with Oishi’s speech act theory, the application of the ‘speech acts’ concept was evident where other people could address the child in a manner that could motivate him or her to maintain the […]
• Modern Thinking of Self Concept In the 20th century, the concept of the self took a new turn with the emergence of behaviorism and other schools of thought on self concept.
• Concept of the Self and Self-Esteem Among the most common and widely used ways of self, the approach is self-esteem and self-concept.self-esteem refers to how an individual views himself from an emotional or affective aspect.
• Conceptions of Self and Others The concept of self as applied to a person begins early in his/her life as the society socializes with the person because of gender segregation initiated by children themselves and the parents or rather the […]
• Science of Solitary Confinement vs. Self-Concept While the article “The Science of Solitary Confinement” by Joseph Stromberg heavily relies on how a person’s mind is affected while being forced into solitary confinement, the article “Self-Concept” by Saul Mcleod reflects on the […]
• Identity: Collectivism, Learning, and Self-Concept One of the notable aspects of culture is hybridity which manifests in mimicry and space. The spatial and temporal components define the social norms and traditions of people in different environments.
• Time Perspective and Physical Self-concept The conducted research is important in the development of a constructive attitude of adolescents towards their future and can promote physical health and sports club membership among this category of the population.
• Self Concept: Developmental Psychology When I began to wonder about my inner self, sometimes I was sure to understand the real me and have a divided definition of who I am.
• Le Corbusier and the Concept of Self: Corbusian Societies In aspiration to achieve new blossoming of aesthetics of architecture and in poetizing this major sphere of human activity lies the key to disclosing the creativity of Le Corbusier – the great master, whose life […]
• Self-Concept Theory and Trait Theory It is also vital in the success of our career. This is because to be satisfied with a job we need to be internally satisfied but in order to perform the job well we need […]
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Self-Concept and Perception of Others To examine the relationship of my self-perception and the impression of others about me, I did self-evaluation on my interpersonal skills and communication style using two questionnaires for each.
• The Role of Self-Concept in Cross-Cultural Communication To communicate with representatives of other cultures, a person needs a choice of means of communication and ethnocultural competence, which should include knowledge of the type of culture, the style of business interaction, the context […]
• Self-Concept, Parental Labeling, and Delinquency The key objective is to point out broader determinants to specify the self and argue the dependence of appraisal from the standpoint of other people on delinquency.
• International Student Self-Identity and Self-Concept According to Baumeister, due to the continuous evolution of the identity theory, there is no definite concept attached to identity; but the concept can be well understood by dissecting it into three key characteristics which […]
• Women, Alcohol, Self-Concept, and Self-Esteem: A Qualitative Study of the Experience of Person-Centred Counselling This essay discusses the research setting and sample, the selection of the setting and the data collection procedure to be used during the project.
• Communication Process: Self-Awerness and Self-Concept The transactional model on the other hand upholds that the people’s communication becomes simultaneous senders and receivers of the messages. Attitudes are the behavioral ways of how a person responds to people and situations.
• Linking of Eastern Religions and the Self-Concept
• The Connection Between Self-Concept and Crime in Society
• The Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy and Their Development of Self-Concept
• The Self-Concept Life Cycle and Brand Perceptions
• Understanding the Self-Concept of Men and Women
• Self-Concept Is the Capability of Being Able to See Ourselves From the Outside
• Factors That Influence the Development of Individual’s Self-Concept
• Attachment Theory and Development of Self-Concept
• Are Social Identities Integrated Into the Personal Self-Concept
• Problem-Solving Program for Adolescents’ Self-Concept
• Personality and Self-Concept in Consumer Behavior
• Ideal Beauty and Its Effect on Children’s Self-Concept
• The Factors That Shape an Individual’s Self-Concept
• Relation Between Self-Concept and Self-Motivation
• Developing the Professional Self-Concept: Role Model Construals in Career Stages
• The Connection Between Eating Habits and Social Self-Concept
• Marketing Information System Utilization: An Application of Self-Concept Theory
• Academic Self-Concept and Socio-Demographic Profile
• Relationship Between Self Improvement and Self-Concept
• Theories That Explain the Formation of Self-Concept
• How Identity and Self-Concept Is Dependent Upon Social
• Development of Self-Concept in Students’ Learning
• How The Personality Developed Through the Self-Concept
• Japanese vs. American Development of Self-Concept
• Charismatic Leadership Attribution Theory and Self-Concept
• Appearance Self-Concept Predicts Most Secondary School Students’ Self-Esteem
• Impact of Social Media Platform on Self-Concept Among LGBT Community
• Relationship Between Problems With Identity and Self-Concept
• Involvement and Self-Concept in Magazines
• Gender Roles and Self-Concept From Birth
• A Theoretical Study of Employee Self-Concept and Receipt of Help
• The Relationship Between Extracurricular Activities and Adolescents’ Academic Performance and Self-Concept
• The Impact of Debt on Wellbeing, Health Behavior, and Self-Concept
• Basic Psychological Needs, Physical Self-Concept, and Physical Activity Among Adolescents
• The Link Between Self-Concept and Crime
• The Media and Its Impact on Sexual Self-Concept
• Developmental Psychological Disorder Diagnosis: The Effective Repair of Youth Self-Concept
• The Promotive and Protective Role of Children’s Self-Efficacy and Self-Concept
• Factors That Influence Person Self-Concept
• The Relationship Between Self-Concept and Life Satisfaction in Children
• Self Esteem Research Ideas
• Academic Achievements Research Topics
• Self-Reflection Research Topics
• Social Development Essay Topics
• Cultural Identity Research Topics
• Family Relationships Research Ideas
• Sociological Imagination Topics
• Psychology Questions
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Self Concept Essay Examples & Topics

• Adolescence
• Childhood Trauma
• Children Observation
• Cognitive Psychology
• Communication
• Criminal Psychology
• Critical Thinking
• Growth Mindset
• Human Development
• Human Nature
• Inspiration
• Interpersonal Communication
• Metacognition
• Nonverbal Communication
• Personality
• Psychoanalysis
• Self Assessment
• Self Esteem
• Social Psychology
• Socialization
• Stereotypes

Explorando el complejo de inferioridad y sus efectos en las relaciones interpersonales

1. Introducción Topic: Sentimientos de inferioridad y relaciones interpersonales Section Title: Reflexiones sobre los sentimientos de inferioridad Insondable, distante, indescifrable y hasta inaprehensible. Por tanto, el lenguaje con el que nos aproximamos a él y a sus posibles fenómenos habrá de ser humilde, respetuoso y matizado. Trabajamos como una introducción a un campo complejo, como decía. Los juegos del lenguaje relacionados con el tema de las vivencias de cierto (sentirse/aparecer como ...

The Impact of Self-Realization on Personal Development

1. Introduction The following research examines the impact of self-realization on personal development. This can impact the spheres of life connected with personal or professional features, social or psychological stability, or moral values. From the findings drawn, we should admit that self-realization indeed changes us and changes many spheres of our lives for the better. Consequently, everyone should try to realize themselves in order to reach self-fulfillment and to bring their quality of l ...

The Psychological Aspects of Coaching Philosophy

1. Introduction Coaching philosophy has been noted as an essential key to define how we relate to the several aspects of the profession, placing the principles and values on the first line. Therefore, the knowledge of the several aspects, not only refers to the technical and the tactical aspects of the game, but also to the psychological and social ones that usually are not so visible. The union of these principles acts not only to define the way athletes and human beings develop, but also how ...

Consumerism and Its Effect on Personal Identity

1. Introduction In today's globalized and liberalized business environment, consumerism is the most debated phenomenon. Perhaps now, more than at any previous time in history, the individual is becoming a victim rather than a beneficiary of the modern capitalist infrastructure. The individual has become a consumer of an incredible variety of goods and services continuously provided by the modern business world. Consumerism is seen as a major factor leading to the commercialization of human soci ...

The Exploration of Identity and Self-Perception

1. Introduction to Identity and Self-Perception Introduction Literature provides readers with a unique series of insights that delve into an author's mind, offering detailed, well-thought-out excursions into the creative thought process and an understanding of a world in which every individual lives. Literature deals with a broad and complex variety of perceptions of identity. This is due in greater part to the fact that self-perception is centralized more on the individual and their emotional ...

Reflecting on Personal Growth: How I Have Changed in the Past 1 Year

1. Introduction It is not always easy to see how one has changed over time. However, looking at one's past thoughts and actions - in this case, simply my past hobbies and activities over the last year - can help a person understand what has motivated her and how she has "changed" during a certain period of her life. In this essay, I have outlined a few main things I have done over the past year (in Section 2), followed by why I was interested in doing these things (Section 3). In the last secti ...

Descriptive Essay about Yourself

1. Introduction Writing about yourself may seem simple, but it is a big deal in an essay. Being asked to write an essay about yourself seems to be the easiest type of essay. However, it is not always easy to write about yourself, so whenever you need help, we are ready and essay to get things done. When faced with the task of writing an essay that talks about different areas in which law can work miracles, Gattani's own book is unremarkable. If it is any better, it is always for a descriptive e ...

Who I Am: Defining My Self-Concept

1. Introduction to Self-Concept The introduction to self-concept serves as the foundational section in understanding the formation and impact of self-concept. Self-concept refers to the cognitive and affective representations of the self, including self-identity, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. It encompasses various components such as self-knowledge, self-awareness, and self-perception. Understanding these components is crucial in comprehending the complexities of human behavior, emotions, and ...

Who Am I? Self-Analysis

1. Introduction to Self-Analysis The introduction to self-analysis is a fundamental aspect of self-discovery and personal development. It provides individuals with an opportunity to delve into their inner thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to gain a deeper understanding of themselves. Self-analysis allows individuals to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth, ultimately leading to improved self-awareness and self-esteem. The importance of self-analysis lies in its ab ...

My Personal Strengths and Weaknesses

1. Introduction The introduction to "Analyzing Personal Strengths and Weaknesses: A Comprehensive Study" provides a foundational understanding of the importance and relevance of self-assessment. This section discusses the background and significance of analyzing personal strengths and weaknesses, highlighting the impact of this process on personal and professional development. By delving into the historical context and the current significance of this study, the introduction aims to establish t ...

Myself Essay

1. Introduction The introduction section of "Exploring the Self: An Academic Inquiry into the Concept of Self in Modern Society" provides a comprehensive background and significance of the study, shedding light on the relevance of understanding the concept of self in today's society. It delves into the underlying reasons for the exploration and highlights the importance of gaining insights into the various factors that shape the self in modern times. Furthermore, the introduction outlines the p ...

The Self-Reference Effect and Memory

1. Introduction Viewing information in the context of the self influences its encoding in memory. Memory is significantly better when information is processed for its relevance to or its implications for the self than when it is processed for its relevance to someone else, or when it is simply processed, processed in relation to the meaning of the stimulus itself. Craik and Tulving (1975) demonstrated this by manipulating both how questions were related to items and to what degree responses wer ...

Self concept and Self esteem in interpersonal communication

1. Introduction During most of our waking hours, we spend more time with ourselves, our thoughts, and reactions than with any other person, yet we may overlook our contact with this most familiar companion - ourselves. The study of interpersonal communication reiterates the value of increased understanding and importance of the processes that occur between and among individuals. Inherent in our studies and participation in communication is the realization that the quality of our lives is to som ...

Respect and Self-Respect: Impact on Interpersonal Relationships

1. Introduction In this paper, we set out to do the following. First, we provide a philosophical analysis of what differentiates respect due to individuals from regard due to them in virtue of their character. We take one implication of this analysis to be that one could have respect for someone as a failingly rational creature without having high regard for her in light of some of her concrete actions. Next, we present empirical research on the causal role of respect and self-respect in close ...

The Sane Deep-Self View: Concept of Susan Woolf Essay

1. Introduction The Sane Deep-Self View I’m excited to discuss a paper written by one of my favorite people, Susan J. Woolf. This paper was introduced to me earlier in the summer by a friend whose thesis I am so fortunate to be able to help advise, and afterwards while discussing it with our good friend, Anthony, I exclaimed, "I’m really excited about this paper for some reason!" I had been looking forward to reading it already, but if I hadn’t, that single instance of enthusiasm would have mad ...

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12 Self-Concept Examples

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A self-concept is an idea you have about yourself. It is your self-definition.

Our concept of ourselves comes from internal self-narratives, but it is also impacted by what other people tell us about who we are. For example, constant put-downs by parents may cause a child to have a poor self-concept.

Examples of self-concept include seeing yourself as an introvert, extrovert, sports fanatic, family man, or political party member.

Definition of Self-Concept

Self-concept is a set of beliefs that we have about ourselves and who we are. It is our own definition; our image of ourselves.

Povedano-Diaz, Muniz-Rivaz, and Vera-Perea (2019, p. 2) offer us a scholarly definition:

“The perception of oneself from conscious awareness.”

We form this perception of ourselves, or self-concept, from our experiences, self-assessments , and observations of what we like and don’t like. It is shaped by others and society as well. We can’t define ourselves as something that is not confirmed by the environment.

Cues like how people speak to us, whether people avoid us, and even comparing ourselves to social ideals, all impact how we form our self-concept.

Examples of Self-Concept

1. ethical self-concept (e.g. i am an environmentalist).

People often see themselves as ethical beings first and foremost. They pride themselves on their ability to apply moral thinking to situations, and have red lines they draw about what they will and won’t do in their lives.

Many people, for example, see themselves as environmentalists, vegans, or simply a ‘good person’. This self-concept may determine many of the decisions you make in your life. In particular, it may impact the goods you consume. Environmentalists might spend extra money to get an electric vehicle; similarly, vegans will choose only to consume non-animal products.

This self-concept may also impact your choice of profession. You might think that certain jobs are not consistent with your ethics and may avoid them (i.e. you might find sales ‘sleasy’). You may also pursue a career in a non-government organization or charity, for example, if your ethics are central to your sense of self.

2. Religious Self-Concept

Many people also hold their religion at the very core of their self-concept. In fact, deep religious faith is a strong point of self-pride for people of many religions.

A person with a strong religious self-concept might carry reminders of their faith on them at all times. Christians may wear a cross around their neck, for example, while Jewish men might wear a yarmulke and Sikhs might wear a “dastar” head covering.

Similarly, you may pray at regular intervals due to your deep faith in god.

Your religious self-concept may also affect your choice of partner if you feel like you want to be partnered with a person who can walk with you through your journey of faith.

3. Personality Based Self-Concept (E.g. Introvert or Extrovert)

Generally speaking, personality is defined as the characteristic behaviors and feelings that make people distinct from each other.

For example, some people are outgoing and super friendly, while others are more reserved and less talkative. Some people are very driven and goal-oriented, while someone else is easy-going and meanders through life at a slower pace. While one person is very agreeable and likes to try new things, another person might not like change at all and resist new ideas.

Each person is definitely different. When it comes to a person’s self-concept, many of us define ourselves in terms of our personality characteristics. One person might say about themselves, “I like adventure and trying new things.” Another might say, “I like routine and stability.”

Of course, there is no right or wrong way to be, just different colors of personality in the rainbow of life.

4. Sports Team Affiliation

In a lot of cultures, sports are a huge priority. Throughout Central and South America, football is life. The people go absolutely crazy for their teams.

On days when the national team is playing an important match, the government will shut down and make the day an unofficial holiday.

Festivities might even start the day before a big match, and then carry on to the day after (if the local team won). It is an integral part of the culture. The citizens tie their self-worth to the achievements of their team and the results of a match is a matter of self-pride.

If you ask the people in some of these cultures to fill out a self-concept questionnaire, and you don’t include the name of their country’s team, they will write it in for you.  

5. Identification with a Profession (E.g. I am a Professor)

In some economically developed countries, work is life. People are fully-devoted to their profession, sometimes to the point of obsession. They make great sacrifices in their personal lives to achieve career success.

When people put aside personal ambitions like getting married and starting a family, they have a void that needs to be filled. Work often fills that void. As time goes on, one’s profession can become the sole priority of a person’s existence. Even when married with children, some still will put their career first.

In these cases, one’s self-concept is synonymous with one’s professional title. If you ask, “Who are you?”, they will likely respond with, “I am a _____.” Just fill in the blank with their job title and you will instantly know how they define their self-concept.

6. Strong and Independent Woman (E.g. I am a Feminist)

Today, many women embrace a self-concept as ‘strong and independent’, rejecting old ideas about womanhood in society.

There was a time in many Western cultures when women had very limited options in life. The prescription from society involved first getting married, then having kids, and then taking care of everyone in the family, every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year…forever.

The only possible choice of self-concept was “wife and mother.” That was it. However, over the last several decades women have fought hard to create greater opportunities for themselves. It wasn’t easy.

Today, a lot of women define themselves based on their careers or passions. Many also include in that definition the notion of being strong and independent. Instead of docile and dependent on a man, the modern woman can exist as a single entity, capable of taking care of herself and standing strong in the process.  

7. Symbolic Association (What we Buy)

There is a term in marketing that sheds some light on how many consumers define their self-concept. That term is: “symbolic purchasing behavior.” It refers to the fact that many products and services are purchased for what they signify in society.  

People can become so attached to a brand that it partially defines who they are. If a person thinks of themselves as sophisticated and modern, then they will seek objects and activities that help confirm that identity.

Luxury items convey sophistication. Blue jeans and a t-shirt convey being down-to-earth. Driving a big truck or a sports car sends a message to others about who you are. By associating with certain products or attending certain kinds of event, they are strengthening their self-concept. 

8. Political Self-Concept (E.g. I am a Democrat)

In a country with a multiparty political system, it is easy to see how prevalent it is that people become “at one” with their chosen party. People can be incredibly passionate about their socio-political ideals.

It makes sense. Political views concern some of the most serious and pressing issues in society today.

For example, the debate about government authority versus individual rights seems like a never-ending struggle. Or, the manufacturing goals of corporations versus the needs of environmental protection seems to carry the health of the planet in its balance.

These are issues that divide people into vastly different camps. For those that are so committed to one side or the other, their socio-political views and self-concept are one and the same.

9. The “Other People” Self-Concept

The media is constantly showing us examples of the ultra-successful. We are bombarded with stories of greatness and exceptionalism.

Reality however, is quite different. For every cover page of an entrepreneurial magazine that tells the story of one individual that started a company in a garage and eventually became the richest person in history, there are tens of thousands of others who failed.

To make matters worse, people in very poor countries also see those stories. Social media is everywhere. However, the chances of someone in a third-world country achieving the kind of wealth they see on the internet is practically zero.

After a while, this can create the “other people” self-concept; success and greatness are for others, not me. It is a disheartening state. To internalize the idea that you will be a failure forever can lead to a sense of helplessness and despair.  

10. Body Image (E.g. I am Muscular)

It is hard not to be overly concerned with our appearance. We see images of handsome men and beautiful women every day.

We see them on social media, T.V. commercials, in the movies…everywhere. In fact, it is probably impossible to go an entire day without seeing images of the abnormally attractive.

It is so powerful that many of us form an identity that is tied directly to our physical appearance. We spend a lot of time and effort trying to improve ourselves physically: going to the gym, styling our hair, buying the right clothes.

Some people even go so far as to hire someone to take a big vacuum and suck the fat out of their stomach. Or, implant synthetic gunk into their rear-end to make their butt look more rounded.

A lot of people internalize their physical appearance to form their self-concept. The body image becomes the self-concept.

11. High School Cliques (E.g. I am a Jock)

The high school lunchroom is like a living collage of self-concepts. There is a snapshot of each type on full display.

You can easily see each type of self-concept manifested in the dress and manners of all. Of course, there are the cool kids. They are easy to spot because they are well-dressed and gossiping about others (and each other when backs are turned).

Sitting nearby are the jocks. Also, easy to spot. Constantly trying project self-confidence and usually thumping each other around or puffing out their chest as they walk to class.

And then, there are the motley crew of rebels and nonconformists. Some are artsy like, dressed in oversized vintage clothes and oozing an aura of gloom and unease. Although you can’t see them today because they are skipping school, the rebels prefer grungy clothes and messed up hair to let everyone know they just don’t care.

12. Family-Based Self-Concept (E.g. I am a Family Man)

Family is at the center of many people’s self-concept. A woman may define herself as “a mother, while the husband says he’s “a family man”.

We can look at their daily lives and it becomes obvious why. They are very devoted to the needs and priorities of the family, especially the children.

The choice of home may be based on the availability of good schools. Monday through Friday may involve shuttling the kids to and from various extracurricular activities. Weeknights can include the family sitting around the kitchen table playing board games, and weekends consist of camping excursions or attending the children’s sporting events.

We are what we do, and that can easily become the main component of our self-concept.

Self-Concept vs Self-Esteem

Self-concept is a very similar idea to self-esteem. The main difference between the two is that self-concept is descriptive whereas self-esteem is evaluative.

Self-efficacy , on the other hand, is a measure of how good you are at a specific task.

So, we have seen a myriad of self-concepts. There are many more. In fact, there are probably as many different versions of self-concepts as there are people.  

Because life has become so dynamic, it offers endless options for which to define ourselves. We can be whomever we want to be. Of course, others may not agree and society could slam the door shut on our ideal self-concepts, but that’s okay. There is another one just around the corner. When one self-concept door shuts, another opens.

In fact, over our lifespan, our self-concept actually changes. As our interests and priorities change, so does the image of ourselves. That’s a good thing. After all, does anyone really want to be the same person they were in high school?

Baumeister, R. F. (1999). The nature and structure of the self: An overview. In R. Baumeister (Ed.), The self in social psychology (pp. 1-20). Philadelphia, PA: Psychology Press (Taylor & Francis).

Povedano-Diaz, A., Muñiz-Rivas, M., & Vera-Perea, M. (2020). Adolescents’ life satisfaction: The role of classroom, family, self-concept and gender.  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ,  17 (1), 19. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph17010019

Leigh, J. & Terrance, G. (1992). Symbolic interactionism: Its effects on consumer behavior and implications for marketing strategy. The Journal of ConsumerMarketing, 9, 27-38. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000002594

Malär, L., Krohmer, H., Hoyer, W. D., & Nyffenegger, B. (2011). Emotional brand attachment and brand personality: The relative importance of the actual and the ideal self. Journal of Marketing, 75, 35-52. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1509%2Fjmkg.75.4.35

Tesser, A., Millar, M. and Moore, J. (1988). Some affective consequences of social comparison and reflection processes: The pain and pleasure of being close. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54 , 49-61. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.54.1.49

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