Social approach KC5: Influences of others on self-concept

Question 1

self concept

Answer 1

How you see yourself

Question 2

self esteem

Answer 2

How we value ourselves and the extent to which we accept and like ourselves

Question 3

Self esteem comes from our interactions with other people but what are the three main ways this occurs?

Answer 3

How others react to us, we compare ourselves to others, we play social roles

Question 4

Self Image

Answer 4

A person’s awareness of their mental and physical characteristic, based on positive and negative beliefs about themselves

Question 5

Self efficacy

Answer 5

A person’s confidence in their ability to achieve a successful outcome

Question 6

Give 1 strength of the influences of others on self Concept

Answer 6

Research to support

There is research Support for the assumption that other people influence our self esteem. eg, Harris and Orth Conducted a meta-analysis. They found that our self-esteem increases when our relationships with others are fulfilling and supportive

Question 7

Give 1 limitation of the influences of others on self concept

Answer 7

vague concepts

The different aspects of the self are poorly defined. eg, some psychologists define self concept as ‘beliefs’ about the self but others include ‘feelings’. Therefore. concepts like self-image and self-esteem may actually be the same thing. This vagueness limits our understanding of ideas like self-concept and the practical benefits we can get from them