HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE

Unit 3

SELF-CONCEPT

REVISION GUIDE

Chapter 14

Name: ………………………………………

Form: ……………………………………
Factors Influencing Self Concept

L = Life Experiences
A = Age
S = Sexual Orientation
E = Emotional Development
R = Relationships with others
C = Culture
A = Appearance
G = Gender
E = Education

Learn the Mnemonic

Self Concept involves:

how clever we are

how fit and strong we are

how attractive we are

how we compare with others

our popularity

our skills/talents

how well we cope with problems

Self Esteem = how highly we rate our abilities and self.

Self Image = how we think other people see us.

Self Esteem + Self Image = Self Concept.

Look at p220

List 3 things which show a positive self concept:

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List 3 things which show a negative self concept:

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AGE

Young Children: Awareness of self concept limited e.g. boy/girl size

same skills.

Older Children: More factual hair colour, name, family members,

address.

Adolescents: Beliefs more important, likes/dislikes/relationships.

Older Adults: More self-knowledge because of experience. Have

wisdom.

Look at p221

Describe Self Concept of:

3 – 5 year old

12 – 16 year old

25 year old
APPEARANCE

Look at p222

What aspects of ‘appearance’ can influence our self image?

GENDER

Today boys and girls expect to have the same opportunities. There are
still some stereotypical views about males and females.

Describe stereotypical views about gender to do with:

Toys

Education

Careers

Having children

CULTURE

Different people have different customs and beliefs. We are all

‘influenced’ by our culture. Our cultural beliefs are known as the ‘norms’

e.g. British people may not eat frog’s legs and snails as the French do

or People who are very religious may not believe in sex before
marriage.

Suggest 2 ‘norms’ which would be typical of British society.

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EMOTIONAL MATURITY

Understanding self-concept depends on a person’s emotional and

intellectual maturity. It is not until late adolescence people are able to
compare themselves with others.

Strong views on issues are common in adolescence, e.g. animal rights,

banning smoking.

As an adult, experience of life will help a person to have a more

balanced view of life and have the necessary language and confidence
to describe self-concept in detail.

EDUCATION

Self-concept is influenced by - comparisons with peers

- success or failure
- theories/ideas help you understand life
- lasting friendships boost self-confidence
- expectations of teachers influence
chances of success

Task

In terms of education, give an example of:

Comparing yourself with another student

Success in education

Failure in education
RELATIONSHIPS

Family/should provide:

Love

Security

Feel valued

Good self image

With others:

Friends

Colleagues/employers

Youth leader

Coach

Neighbours

Sexual relationships

Some relationships will be more successful than others and will affect
our self-concept.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Heterosexual = sexually attracted to opposite sex.

Homosexual = sexually attracted to same sex.

Bisexual = sexually attracted to both sexes.

Homophobia = intense dislike of homosexuals.

* LEARN THESE WORDS *

Sexual orientation will form part of self-concept, particularly if a person is

homosexual. It can be very traumatic ‘coming out’. Young people can
feel very confused and even fearful of not being accepted.

Prejudice still exists in society and can have a very negative effect on
self-concept.
Tasks

Read p226

Write down 2 reasons a person may have problems by telling people he

or she is homosexual.

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LIFE EXPERIENCES

Life experiences teach us about how to cope with changes. Experience

will affect our self-concept either in a positive or negative way.

Task

Read p227
List 3 other life experiences which may occur:

Life Experience What I can learn about myself

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