In psychology, self-interest is often related to the concept of self-concept, which is the image we have of ourselves. Self-concept consists of three components: self-image, ideal self, and self-esteem. Self-image is how we see ourselves at the present moment, ideal self is who we want to be, and self-esteem is how much we value ourselves. When there is a match between our self-image and our ideal self, we have a congruent self-concept. When there is a mismatch, we have an incongruent self-concept. self-interest can affect our self-concept by influencing how we perceive our traits, roles, and goals. It can also affect how we compare ourselves to others and how we cope with challenges and feedback.
