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Self-Image and the Christian

Three Questions for Self Awareness

        A. Who am I? - Looking for height, weight, sex, race, skills, accomplishments, nationality

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        B. What am I? - Such things as wife, mother, single, teacher, attorney. Also allows us to rate ourselves - good or bad, average or poor, superior or inferior

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        C. Why am I? - Describe your reason for living, goals, motives for involvement in activities

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Self-concept ...

Is saying, "That's the way I am."
Is the mental image we have our ourselves.
Can be improved and changed.


Typical Expressions of a Poor Self-Concept

        (Check those that you use most often.)

        _____ I am not pretty.

        _____ Beauty is as beauty does.

        _____ I am fat.

        _____ I am stupid.

        _____ I am no good.

        _____ I am defective.

        _____ I always fail.

        _____ I can't stand to fail.

Three Functional Aspects of Self-Concept
"What do I think others see in me?"

A. Appearance - How do I look?

B. Performance - How am I doing?

C. Status - How important am I?

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Three Emotional Aspects of Self-Concept
"How do I feel about myself?"

A. Belongingness - People, things, animals
        "Our position with respect to other people."

B. Worthimess - I count, am appreciated
        "Our position in respect to our ideas and conduct."

C. Competence - Feelings of adequacy, courage, hope
        "Our position with respect to life situations."

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Abilities that Build Emotional Security
"How well do I relate to others?"

A. Empathy - relate to others emotionally

B. Identification - identify with those feelings

C. Love - caring about the other person

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Reactions that Contribute to Emotional Insecurity

A. Hostility - Blames others

B. Guilt - Blames self

C. Fear - Tends to paralyze

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