Énkép

Énkép is a Hungarian term that translates roughly as self-image or self-concept. It refers to how a person perceives, interprets, and feels about themselves, including beliefs about personality traits, abilities, appearance, and social roles. In psychology, enykép is commonly treated as the self-concept or self-image, encompassing cognitive representations of the self as well as affective evaluations. It is related to, but distinct from, self-esteem, which concerns the evaluative value one assigns to the self; enykép provides the broader structure within which self-esteem operates.

Typical components of enykép include cognitive representations (perceived traits and competencies), affective evaluations (emotions directed toward the self), and behavioral patterns (self-presentation, choice of actions, and goal setting). The development of enykép is dynamic, shaped by feedback from family, peers, media, culture, and personal experiences. It can be stable over time or shift in response to life events, education, or changes in body image and social roles.

Influences on enykép vary across cultures and life stages. In individualist cultures, personal attributes and autonomy may weigh more heavily in self-concept, while in collectivist contexts social roles and group affiliations can be more salient. Media representations, gender norms, and aging also affect enykép.

In arts and everyday language, enykép is distinct from the Hungarian term for a self-portrait, önarckép or énarckép, which denotes a visual depiction rather than a mental construct. See also self-image, self-concept, self-esteem, body image.