The Four Types of Self-Image | Which One Is Yours? [Quiz]

In a nutshell, self-image is another of the “self” concepts that we must understand to know ourselves better. However, beyond having a positive or negative self-image, there’s so much more about our personal image that comes in to play.

Today, we’re diving into the concept of the four types of self-image and how we should be aware of their differences and overarching similarities if we want to build a positive self-image in the long run.

Your Self-Image Status

There’s no right or wrong way to look at this. What matters is how you feel internally, if you believe your self-image is in a healthy spot, thrive in that spot. If, on the contrary, you wish your self-image was in a better spot, then, keep working on your self-image, loving yourself takes time and effort.

What Exactly Is Self-Image?

To simplify the concept of self-image, it is what you see when you look in a mirror. But we all know it’s much deeper than that. Self-image refers to how we see ourselves, internally and externally. The concept of self-image is closely related to how you perceive yourself rather than how you see yourself.

Over the years, countless self-impressions have built up creating either a positive self-image or a negative one. To know if your self-image is healthy, take this quiz.

The Four Types of Self-Image

Although there’s no widely agreed-upon spectrum for the aspects of self-image, there are proposed types. These four types of self-image may or may not be an accurate representation of yourself. In general, these four self-image categories go as follows:

1. How you see yourself.
2. How others see you.
3. How you perceive others see you.
4. How you perceive you see yourself.

These types of self-images are a blend of your internal self-awareness (how well you know yourself) versus external self-awareness (how well you understand how others see you). Until you can internalize both concepts, you can’t understand which type of self-image best suits you.

Dimensions of Self-Image

In addition, there are dimensions added to the concept of self-image. It’s common for people to have a positive self-image related to some dimensions, and a negative one for others. The dimensions of one’s self-image include:

1. Physical: how you evaluate your appearance.
2. Psychological: how you evaluate your personality.
3. Intellectual: how you evaluate your intelligence.
4. Skills: how you evaluate your social and technical skills.
5. Moral: how you evaluate your values and principles.
6. Sexual: how you evaluate your fit into society’s sexual norms.

Remember, though, these types and dimensions are not a set-in-stone framework. They’re merely a proposed idea to identify different elements of self-image to try and make sense of such a complex concept.