self-concept

noun

self-con·​cept ˈself-ˈkän-ˌsept How to pronounce self-concept (audio)
: the mental image one has of oneself

Examples of self-concept in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The recent era of spectacular economic growth generated a self-concept among Chinese citizens: China is a daring, rising power, and being Chinese means being on the cutting edge. Rana Mitter, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 And one person might count experiences from childhood or youth in a self-concept of sexuality while another might exclude them, Fuentes notes. Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 6 Feb. 2024 Together, these voluntary moves suggest a different, more publisher-like self-concept. Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2024 But while that stance remained central to the country’s self-concept, Sweden gradually strengthened its ties to NATO. Emily Rauhala, Washington Post, 23 Jan. 2024 No one has ever explained why on earth sociality would have anything to do with this phylogenetic break in the self-concept, says Povinelli. Karen Wright, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 This gradually builds a more positive self-image and a healthier self-concept. Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Whitaker also credits the show’s wardrobe department with tailoring a sartorial identity befitting the gangster’s self-concept. Hugh Hart, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2023 Although this kind of behavior has traditionally been attributed to a self-concept or other cognitive process, our experiment suggested an environmental component. Scientific American, 1 May 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-concept.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-concept was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near self-concept

Cite this Entry

“Self-concept.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-concept. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-concept

noun
self-con·​cept
ˈself-ˈkän-ˌsept
: the mental image one has of oneself

Medical Definition

self-concept

noun
self-con·​cept ˈself-ˈkän-ˌsept How to pronounce self-concept (audio)
: the mental image one has of oneself

More from Merriam-Webster on self-concept

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