Dr. William
Purkey’s
Overview of
Self-Concept
Theory
Self-Concept: internal view
of personal existence
What is self-concept?
 Totality
of learned beliefs which each
individual holds to be true about his/her
personal experiences
 Creates his/ her personality
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eta
NVUKqvRw

Low self-esteem symptoms in children
Explanations of Dr. Purkey’s
theory
 Self
concept (SC) inferred from behaviors
 SC is at the heart of human personality
 The basic motive for behavior is to
maintain, protect, and enhance one’s SC

Do you agree with this?
More self-concept…
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SC is more important than physical body. We
sacrifice physical comfort for psychological
satisfaction. - Do you agree?
SC changes as you learn and experience
Few people can retain self-esteem in the face
of disesteem from others. *Especially youth!

Would you consider yourself to be selfconscience now? In the past?
More self-concept…
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The more central a belief is to your SC, the
more resistant it is to change.
Failure lowers SC. Success raises SC.
SC guards itself against loss of self-esteem
because that would lead to anxiety. Anxiety
is a characteristic of low self-esteem.
If SC must constantly defend itself from
assault, growth opportunities are restricted.
Positive Behaviors for Adults ->
Children
Negative Behaviors for Adults > Children