Self concept and life achievements

 To achieve, I must develop a healthy self concept to take deliberate planning and concentrated

effort.

Acknowledging the intrinsic value as a human being, and working to acquire the skills needed to

confront the many challenges and adversities in the course of study, is inevitable.

Overcoming adversities build and strengthens self confidence. Set goals and push to reach

them properly without self-fear!

Introduction

A look back on earlier work carried out by researchers establishing the self-concepts of an individual

as it relates to achievement is essential to ascertain the authenticity of this write up.

If a reasonable person is asked the simple question; "what are the reasons behind mass failure in

pursuits of life achievements?"

A variety of responses would be forthcoming, some may agree on the pedagogy involved in

handling the activities that breeds such achievements. This may then narrow down to the unique

aspects of the self-concepts of the aspirants.

Meaning Of Self-concept

Self-concept is an idea of the self-constructed form, the idea one holds about oneself and the

response of others.

One's self-concept also called self-perspective, self-identity or self-structure is a collection of beliefs

about oneself in relation to academic performance, gender role, sexual and racial identity etc.

Generally, Self-concept embodies the answer to 'who am I?'. It is made up of the following;

a) Self-schema

b) Past self

c) Present self

d) Future self

Self-concept is distinct from self awareness which refers to the extent to which self

knowledge is defined and currently applicable to one's attitudes and dispositions.

It also differ from self esteem as it is a cognitive description of one's self (e.g I am a fast

runner) while self esteem is evaluation and opinionated (e.g I feel good being a fast runner)

It includes the past, present and future selves, where future self(or possible selves)

represents individual ideas of what they might become, what they will like to become, or

what they are afraid of becoming. Possible selves may function as incentives for certain

behaviors.

The perception people have about their past or future selves is related to the perception

of their current selves.

The temporal self-appraisal theory argues that, people have a tendency to maintain a

positive self-evaluation by distancing themselves from their negative self and pay more

attention to their positive one. In addition, people have a tendency to perceive the past selfless favorably(e.g I am better than I used to be) and the future self more positively (e.g I will

be better than I am now).

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow (1951) were the first to establish the motion of Selfconcept. According to Rogers, everyone strives to reach an "ideal self". Rogers also

hypothesised that psychologically healthy people actively move away from roles created by

other's expectations, and instead look within themselves for validation.

Neurotic people have a self concept that do not match their experiences. They are afraid to

accept their experiences as valid, so they distort them either to protect themselves or to get

approval from others.

John Turner (1960) stated that Self-concept consist of at least two levels,

a. Personal identity

b. Social identity

In other words, one's self evaluation relies on self-concept which can alternate rapidly

between the personal and social identity. Children and adolescent can integrate social

identity into their own Self-concept in elementary school by assessing their positions among

peers. By age of "5",acceptance from peers has a significant impact on children's Selfconcept, affecting their behaviour and academic success.

Importance of self concept

Self concept is an important term from the social, psychological and humanity point of vvie.

Super and vows(1960) submit on self-concept that the more your need to determine how

your positive and healthy self is, the more your life experience will be positive and healthy.

This is built on the interactions of inherited and constitutional make up and the opportunity

to play various roles, capable of directing behaviour. So, the key to positive and healthy self

concept, according to Vohs are ;

1. . Know yourself

2. . Love yourself

3. . Be yourself.

They further summarized that, high self esteem is important, although the term itself can be

misleading since self-esteem is largely based on your 'feelings' of self worth and

encompasses your belief about being valuable and capable. It consists of your self image,

whether negative or positive at an emotional level.

Therefore, a healthy self concept must emanate from within rather than being

dependent on external validation or the wavering opinions or options of others,. It must

result from self-reflection, self-analysis and ultimately self-acceptance.

Formation of self concept

Puryear, (1988) critically compare and contrast two theories that have been used to explain

the formation of Self-concept.

a. Self-schemes, which allows us to build a Self-concept of ourselves. It is always a cognitive aspect

of the self, and is generally refers to the totality of the complex organised and dynamic systems of

learned beliefs, attitudes and opinions that each person holds truthful about his or her personal life.

B. When referring to Self-concept, we automatically think "who am I?". This is the way a person sees

and defines his or her personal life from a list of characteristics such as I am smart, pretty, visual or

will you prefer your gender, occupation, societal position and so on.

According to Franken(1994); "there is a great deal of research which shows that Self-concept is

perhaps the basis for self motivated behaviours as it gives rise to possible selves which in turn

spurs human actions".

Franken further suggests that Self-concept is related to self esteem having clearly differentiated

Self-concept as when people know themselves, they can maximise outcomes because they know

what they can and cannot do". Self-concept is developed and maintained by what others tell us and

reflecting on what they say and what we do.

However, this does not happen over a nigh, but a life long process to help young adults in

planning their career and future based on their critical phase during adolescence and beginning of

adulthood.

Erik Erikson (1968) summarizes that, the self is developed through what he called the stage

theory of ego development.

Forms of self cconcept

. Kendra cherry (2005) said it is the image that we have of ourselves. How exactly does this self

image form and change over time? The image develops in numerous ways, but is particularly

influenced by our interactions with important people in life.

Weiten, Dinner and Hammer, (2012) said that it is a collection of beliefs about one's own nature,

uniqueness, qualities and typical behavior. It is a mental picture of yourself. It may include such

beliefs as 'I am easy going' or 'I am pretty' or 'I am hardworking'.

Pastorino and Doyle-Portillo(2013) suggested that Self-concept is our perception or image of our

abilities and our uniqueness. At first, one's self-concept is very general and changeable. As we grow

older, these self-perspection become much more organized, detailed and specific.

Crisp, R. J. and Turner(2013) said 'the individual Self-concept consists of attributes and

personality traits that differentiate us from other individuals( for example introverted) the rational

self is defined by our relationship with significant others (for example, sister). Below are

terminologies that depicts the forms of self cconcept ;

1. Self image: It is important to know that self-image does not necessarily coincide with reality.

People may have inflated self image and even believe that they are better in things than they really

are. Conversely, people are also prone to having negative self image and perceive or exaggerate

flaws or weaknesses. For example, a teenage boy may believe that he is clumsy and socially

awkward when he is really quite charming and likeable. Also, a teenage girl may feel that she is

overweight when she is actually thin.

2. Self esteem (how you look at yourself): this involves how we compare ourselves with others and

how others respond to us. When people respond positively to our behaviours, we are likely to

develop positive self esteem. But if lacking, the reverse becomes the case.

3. Self ideal : This involves how you wish yourself to be. Most times, the way we look at ourselves

and how we would like to see ourselves does not actually match up.

Effects of self cconcept

Marsh and Cavendish, (1997) have claimed that, academic self concept and achievements are

mutually reinforcing each leading to gain in the other.

Beiumeister, Cambell, Krueger and Vohs(2003) have claimed that the self esteem has no benefits

beyond seductive pleasure and may even be detrimental to subsequent performance. Integrating

this seemingly contradicting conclusions, we distinguish between

a. Older, un-dimentional perspective that focuses on global self esteem and underpin.

b. More recent, multidimensional perspective that focuses on specific components of Self-concept

and are the basis of our claim.

Supporting the construct validity of a multidimensional perspective, studies shows that all round

achievement is substantially related to self concept than self esteem.