Psychological Factors

• Self-concept


  The understanding that we have of ourselves. It is a learned idea of how we are distinct from other people.
• Self-efficacy


  A person's ability to understand their capabilities, motivation, thought patterns and emotional reactions.
• Psychological Factors


  • Self-concept
  • Self-efficacy
  • Fear and anxiety
• Self-concept


  • Influenced by identity and belonging
  • Also influenced by environment, culture (ethnicity, religion, social class, gender)
• Primary socialisation


  The norms within the family, expectations e.g. behaviour, academia. Parenting style may also affect self-concept.
• Secondary socialisation


  Others who may make us feel good/not good about ourselves e.g. friends, peers, teachers, those we are in a relationship with, media.
• Comparing ourselves to others


  Affects positive/negative self-concept
• Self-fulfilling concept


  Living up to expectations
• How we react and cope to change/success/failure

  Affects self-concept
• Self-concept


  • Affects self-esteem, behaviours (introvert/confident), social development, physical health, stress and anxiety
• Babies and young children do not have self-concept, the beginnings of self-awareness usually starts when the baby recognises their own face in the mirror (around 18 months- 2 years)
• Good self-concept


  Strong attachments with primary carers, shown love and affection, helps social development
• Life stage and self-concept


  • Childhood: Babies and young children put themselves in categories, develop awareness of individuality
  • Adolescence: Teenagers use beliefs, likes, dislikes and relationships as central to self-concept
  • Adulthood: Most adults able to explain quality of life and thoughts about themselves in greater depth
  • Old age: Some older adults may have more self-knowledge, show wisdom in how they talk about themselves
• Self-esteem


  The way we feel about ourselves, mainly influenced by how others make us feel, leads to positive (high) or negative (low) self-esteem
• Positive self-concept and self-esteem


  • Helps make effective social and emotional relationships, make effective decisions, have confidence, cope with emotions and feelings
• Self-efficacy is an assessment of how good we are at specific things e.g. sport, maths
• Self-efficacy


  Protects people from experiencing fear and anxiety, if you believe you are good at something and feel confident, you are unlikely to become anxious or afraid
• Fears and anxieties


  Develop when we feel out of control, can result in tension headaches, problems with sleeping, increased irritability, aches and pains