In my recent studies in Lifespan and Development, I was getting tripped up in understanding the difference between the Self-Concept and Self-Esteem. In my research, I also found there was a key aspect missing: Identity.

Instead of just reading about it in a book and knowing this knowledge on my own, I thought it would be helpful to visually show the difference between the two.

Hopefully you find this as interesting as I do!

Definitions

Identity

Categories for how to define oneself

Includes: career, political, relationship, religious, achievement, sexual, cultural, interests, personality, physical

Self-Concept

Subjective evaluation of a single Identity

ONLY applies to a single Identity (Siloed Evaluation)

Focused on one particular field or issue

Self-Esteem

“The overall way we evaluate ourselves”

Global evaluation of oneself in relation to your idealized concept if oneself

Sum total of ones self concept

Formulas & Diagram

Identity x = Category from above list

Self-Concept x = (Identity x) X (Subjective Evaluation)

Self-Esteem = (Self-Concept 1) + (Self-Concept 2) +…etc.

Notes

The diagram colors correlate to the individual’s Self Concept (Green = High, Yellow = Average, Orange = Low).

Being able to Silo self concepts allows an individual to maintain global mental health.

Individuals generally identify with 1 Self-Concept, more than the others.

As we go throughout our lives, the Self-Concept that we emphasize will change. From physical to career to family, it’s natural to see the changes.

Misidentifying one’s Self-Concept as one’s Self-Esteem can lead to inflation or deflation of one’s true self worth.

If their self-concept is positive, it leads to inflation and a miscalculation of ones self when contrasted to their environment.

If the self concept is low, depression/anxiety and other challenges begin to surface in one’s life.

Conclusion

The key take-away from knowing the difference between Self-Concept and Self-Esteem is being able to understand that having 1 low Self-Concept doesn’t mean your Self-Esteem (global health) is low. It just means that one Self-Concept could use some work.

Keep reading, learning, and expanding your knowledge!