Self-Conceptualization: Principle Foundations for Change and Improvements

The question for this assignment is to describe a time when one had to make an attempt where a change in one's self-concept failed. Along with this, another question to be answered is to summarize the guidelines in approving our perception of oneself. Specifically applying these principles in order to change the reflection we see. Third, the most significant aspect learned from this assignment and reading is understanding self-concept and how to rethink one's own true identity.

First, self-concept is defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary as the mental image one has of oneself. This is a very broad definition in and of itself. The question is begged: What specifically does self-concept mean? And, how are we to understand our personal self-concept when it comes to how we communicate verbally and non-verbally? In this sense, two other definitions provide a better grasp of understanding this term. The first is from the American Heritage Medical Dictionary - An individual's assessment of his or her status on a single trait or on many human dimensions using societal or personal norms as criteria. The second is from Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th Edition - the composite of ideas, feelings, and attitudes that a person has about his or her own identity, worth, capabilities, and limitations. Thus, if we were to use all three of these definitions, one could aptly define a more narrow understanding of what self-concept is; meaning, it is the mental image one has assessed of themselves using particular criteria that are based upon a variety of personal complexities of their own identity and potentiality from an internal perspective and coupling with criteria on the same basis from an external source. How then does this help one to understand their personal self-concept?

Contemplating on how one would provide an adequate description where an attempt to bring about a change in their own personal self-concept had failed was when the experience of homelessness plagued me. While the recollection of how many times this particular issue came around is a distant memory, the self-concept had not changed as to how and what was causing this nasty weed of an experience frequently reared its cold head on a yearly basis. Every aspect of it, every type of analysis of behavior issues, blame of other people's failings, poor choices, lack of social interaction, or any number of things that kept being analyzed, changed, reinvented would not bring about the end-result of overcoming this ongoing issue in my life. That was until a serious paradigm shift of thinking had to take place.

Hence, the principles to accomplish an improvement (or change of) to one's self-concept involve the following steps: 1) A strong commitment toward personal growth; 2) Seek out to learn and acquire wisdom and knowledge for personal growth support; 3) setting realistic and fair goals; And, 4) seek environments that will assist in one's personal growth. How are we to use these four principles to bring about a paradigm shift in our own self-concept? Unbeknownst to me, these were exactly how the change in my own attitudes and behaviors brought about, not only change, but continual stability in my life. Yet, it was not the former experience that brought about this significant change, but it was the last experience of homelessness that the realization came about to either sink or swim. This occurred in at the close of 2004.

Out on the streets of Seattle, Washington, there was no one I could call on to save me. People do not believe me when I relate to them the exact struggle, but it was very real. My father was released from the Harborview Medical Center, my mother handed me $50.00 in cash, and my family essentially left me in Seattle to fend for myself. Prior to this, I had resided at the hospital while my father recovered from a serious auto accident for two months. Having given up a recently acquired employment opportunity and an apartment, I stayed at the hospital. While my mother had her hotel room paid for, my sisters had a place to go, I had no where to rest, and the excuse was to stay at the hospital and call regarding dad's status.

The first week of this experience of literally being out on the streets, I spent awake, walking around downtown Seattle, and going to a day labor job. Something within me kicked in with the single perception of survival. Whatever work, whatever pays, I had to stay awake. Day labor was my only choice. During this time, I had found out about a transitional housing place, and was approved for residency. First week there was spent recuperating. The next weeks spent trying to rationalize and figure out what the game plan was.

It was this second week where I made the firm commitment toward a better personal growth. With the help and support of the Aloha Inn, the ability to seek out work and put money aside, work at the housing program as well were the first steps. The text describes this step as "...the most difficult and the most important." (Woods 2007). For me, it was the most important and significant step that had to be made toward stability and self-concept. This also meant looking at past failures, opening doors that one may not feel comfortable opening, but need to in order to resolve past hurts, failures, false perceptions and any other negative things that one had become accustomed to thinking.

Once we move through the first principle, the next one is to gain understanding. Here, the text describes how we ought to take advantage of the opportunity to focus on how our self-concept was formed (Woods 2007). What influences attributed to how we view ourselves? Attempt to define the context of how and why such things were spoken to us, or choices impacting our lives. Yet, this is not all to be reflective of the negative and skeletons within our mental pantry. A focus on those strengths that had carried one through trying times, overcoming obstacles that somehow others have not ever overcome themselves or have never experienced in their own lives. These are the positive things that we (and I am now realizing more today) never really come to learn and understand.

The third principle is the ability to sit down and set goals. Here, while at the Aloha Inn, the two significant goals for me were to secure employment that was outside of the day labor, and to put aside money as required to remain in the program. The first was accomplished within a month or two. The second slowly became accomplishment overtime. The third goal would be to eventually move out into a more stable position (which is the ultimate goal for this 9 month program). At the time, these were very real and fair goals. Not only that, but the other goal was based upon how to break the unhealthy cycle that plagued most of my adult life to begin with. How to make appropriate choices, taking on responsibilities that one may have neglected and is one of the main causes for the instability of their life. Armed with what attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors needed changing, life slowly became more meaningful. It no longer seemed like a burden to wake up each day. Eventually, having moved out within six months, and having my own place presented the opportunity to fully realize my new found freedom.

The final principle is to seek out an environment that will be very supportive to solidify the change in one's self-concept. This last one is the progressive road. Here, it brings up the understanding that one becomes the product of their environment. Change the environment; one changes their own perceptions, attitudes, behaviors and understandings.

Bibliography

self-concept. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary. (2007). Retrieved September 18 2009 from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/self-concept

self-concept. (n.d.) Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. (2009). Retrieved September 18 2009 from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/self-concept

Woods, J.T (2007). Interpersonal Communication. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.