Difference between self-concept and self-esteem

Distinguishing between self-esteem and self-concept is not easy. Although we are talking about different concepts, they are often used interchangeably in everyday language..

Both self-esteem and self-concept condition our thoughts about the self; This is one of the characteristics that makes the task of differentiating them complex. In this article we are going to explore these two terms and try to understand their usefulness in connecting with the way we see ourselves.

Self-concept: the image we have of ourselves

When we talk about self-concept, we are referring to the set of information, that is, ideas, beliefs, concepts that we have collected about ourselves. Thus, the self-concept refers to the way in which we have cognitively constructed an image of ourselves and of which we can give an account verbally.

In other words, self-concept refers to our self-perceptions, the same ones that we have formed from our experience and interactions with other people and our environment. The self-concept is characterized by being organized and structured, and by bringing together different dimensions.

The way in which the self-concept is organized gives it a global and partially stable nature. At the same time, we have differentiated and variable self-concepts in different vital dimensions, such as academic, work, social or emotional.

For example, we can say that, in general, we are responsible or discreet or careless people. However, when asked about specific aspects of our lives, we may say that we are very skilled at mathematics, that we are punctual in our work, or that we may sometimes be negligent with some tasks.

We could then affirm that The self-concept refers to a rational understanding of the self, has a predominantly descriptive component and can easily be expressed in words.. These characteristics mean that the self-concept can be modified through processes of cognitive restructuring and objective interpretations of one’s own experience.

Self-esteem: how do I value the person I am?

The omnipresence of the term self-esteem makes it difficult to define. Basically, it is a concept that refers to how we make judgments about ourselves.

These judgments have an evaluative nature and often arise from the comparison we make between ourselves and an “ideal self” that we would like to achieve. The closeness or distance we perceive between that ideal, often constructed from socially shared standards, such as a hegemonic body or material wealth, will influence how we establish judgments about ourselves, and indirectly how we feel.

Let’s think that the evaluations we can make about ourselves can be both positive and negative. These evaluations are subjective and are based on emotionality. They have a lot to do with how we feel and at the same time they condition how we feel.

This relationship with our emotional universe makes it very difficult, unlike self-concept, to give an account of self-esteem in words and to intervene voluntarily on it. We can try to explain our feelings, but there will always be something in our emotional world that remains in the dimension of the ineffable.

Self-concept and self-esteem: why is it so difficult to differentiate them?

In the journey of self-esteem and self-concept as theoretical constructs, there have been several difficulties in distinguishing and delimiting them.

On the one hand, they have been concepts with an area of ​​intersection, and that, even for some authors, are inseparable, at least to the extent that self-esteem can be considered as a constitutive part of the self-concept. That is to say, self-description could not be separated from self-valuation, Because in the act of issuing a concept about ourselves, an evaluative action would already be implicit that leads us to prioritize some criteria over others.

On the other hand, the daily use of these terms means that they often become synonyms and, taking into account the close relationship they have, it is not surprising that this happens. It is important that we keep in mind that both concepts They are linked to the way we see ourselves and, at the same time, with the ways in which we would like to be seen socially..

They are not concepts that refer only to phenomena of our psychic life, but are reflected in our daily behaviors, in what we express about ourselves and in the expectations about how we would like to be treated.

Having clarity about these concepts and their relationship will allow us to work on our self-knowledge, become aware of the importance of being fair in the way we evaluate ourselves and treat ourselves in increasingly respectful and kind ways.

You might be interested…