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Self-Concept

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Self-Concept: Juanita Lane

How would you describe yourself? Are you funny, witty, or nervous? How do you think someone else would describe you? Would they say that you're logical, brave, or patient? Your self-concept is an idea of what you believe about yourself based on responses, reactions, and feedback from others. Even though individuals have certain concepts about themselves, those concepts are usually formed by external sources such as friends, family, co-workers, and many others.
During the Self-Concept Inventory, I found that the top three words that best describe me are extroverted, intelligent, and trustworthy. I also find myself to be observant and dependable. When I asked my husband to complete the same task, I was not surprised to know that he thinks of me as trustworthy, dependable, giving, self-assertive, and complex. I hear at least one of these words daily, in one form or another. Though I felt that there were other words that better described me when it comes to my interactions with him, he thought those five words were best.
My belief that I am trustworthy comes from my interactions with friends and family members. This developed from reflected appraisal that began in my teenage years. Even though I live in Italy, I have friends and family who contact me almost daily to discuss their personal issues or ideas. They trust that I will always give them my honest answer or opinion about their most intimate situations. I receive calls discussing anything from dating and divorce to finances and wills. My relationship with my husband is also based upon trust. I believe that it would have been (and sill would be) difficult for him to love me if he could not trust me.
Being trustworthy is connected to my self-image because it helps me to trust myself as much as others seem to trust me. It enables me to be more confident when making decisions and it

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