What term describes an individual's understanding of their own unique characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses?

The term that accurately describes an individual's understanding of their own unique characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses is self-concept. Self-concept encompasses how individuals perceive their abilities, personality traits, and overall self-worth, which includes both the positive and negative aspects of themselves.

While self-awareness is related and refers to the ability to recognize one's emotions, motivations, and states of being, it doesn’t necessarily encompass the broader scope of individual characteristics and attributes that define a person’s identity. Self-identity focuses more on how one defines themselves in relation to societal roles and relationships. Self-perception often refers to the views and interpretations one has about oneself, but might not fully capture the multi-dimensional aspects of strengths and weaknesses that self-concept does.

Understanding self-concept is crucial in psychology, as it influences behavior, decision-making, and emotional health.