Self-Concept and Identity – Understanding the Self

Mind Matters: Exploring Human Psychology · Nov 12, 2025 · 5m

This episode explores the psychological foundation of the self—the mental image we hold of who we are. It explains self-concept as a collection of beliefs, traits, and values that shape identity, emphasizing that it’s not fixed but continuously evolving through experience and relationships. Psychology distinguishes between the actual self (who we think we are), the ideal self (who we want to be), and the ought self (who we think we should be). The harmony or conflict between these selves greatly influences emotional well-being.

Drawing from Erik Erikson’s stages of development, the episode…