Defining Self-Concept and Identity

This lesson defines self-concept and identity as core ideas in understanding how people see themselves and how those beliefs shape behavior. You will learn the difference between what you believe about yourself, how you describe yourself, and how social context influences both.

The lesson also introduces the main building blocks of self-concept, including roles, traits, values, abilities, and group memberships. It explains how identity can stay stable in some areas while changing over time in others, and why that distinction matters for personal growth.

By the end, you should be able to recognize the parts of your own self-concept, spot common sources of self-beliefs, and understand why identity is not fixed, but developed through experience, reflection, and relationships.