Self-image is the mental picture that we have of ourselves, which is generally resistant to change. It includes not only details that are potentially available to an objective investigation by others, such as height, weight, and hair color, but also items that have been learned by persons about themselves, either from personal experiences or by internalizing the judgments of others. Self-image may consist of six types, including self-image resulting from how an individual sees oneself and self-image resulting from how others see the individual.
Self-image is related to what we see when we look in a mirror, but it goes much deeper than that. It refers to how we see ourselves on a more global level, both internally and externally. Self-image is an important part of our overall well-being, and a positive self-image is having a good view of oneself. Self-image is a fundamental aspect of someones personality that can determine the success of relationships and a sense of general well-being. Self-image can be altered and improved through techniques such as non-judgmental thinking, meditation, and taking steps to cultivate unconditional positive regard for others.
Self-image is often used interchangeably with self-concept, which is the image we have of ourselves that is influenced by many forces, including our interaction with important people in our lives.
