The Self

This volume provides a cutting-edge exposition to research on the self. Sixteen authoritative overviews highlight the role of the self around four themes. The first theme is Brain and Cognition, which includes a social neuroscience perspective on the self, implicit self-cognition, the structure of the self and autobiographical memory. The next theme is Motivation, in which chapters include social comparison, self-regulation, narcissism, and modesty. The third theme is Self-esteem and Emotions, covered by chapters on the measurement of self-esteem, terror management theory, sociometer theory, and self-conscious emotions. The final theme concerns the Interpersonal, Intergroup and Cultural Context, containing chapters on intimate relationships, social exclusion, the collective self, and culture.

Throughout the volume, the exposition is both scholarly and accessible. It also offers critical assessments along with thoughtful discussions of challenges and problems ahead, as well as the generation of novel hypotheses. As such, the book aspires to influence the research agenda for several years to come.

The Self will serve as an essential reference volume for active researchers in the field, while also being appropriate for use as a textbook in advanced courses on the self.

Part 1. Brain and Cognition. T. Heatherton, C.N. Macrae, W.M. Kelley, A Social Brain Sciences Approach to Understanding Self. S.L. Koole, T. DeHart, Self-Affection without Self-Reflection: Origins, Models, and Consequences of Implicit Self-Esteem. A.R. McConnell, L.M. Strain, Content and Structure of the Self-Concept. L. Libby, Autobiographical Memory. Part 2. Motivation. P. Lockwood, J. Matthews, The Self as a Social Comparer. W.K. Campbell, J.D. Foster, The Narcissistic Self: Background, the Extended Agency Model, and Ongoing Controversies. K.D. Vohs, B.J. Schmeichel, Self-Regulation: How and Why People Reach (and Fail to Reach) Their Goals. C. Sedikides, A.P. Gregg, C.M. Hart, The Importance of Being Modest. Part 3. Emotions and Self-Esteem. J.L. Tracy, R.W. Robins, Self-Conscious Emotions: Where Self and Emotion Meet. J. Arndt, J. Schimel, C.R. Cox, A Matter of Life and Death: Terror Management and the Existential Relevance of Self-Esteem. G. MacDonald, Self-Esteem: A Human Elaboration of Prehuman Belongingness Motivation. V.S.Y. Kwan, A.N. Mandisodza, Self-Esteem: On the Relation between Conceptualization and Measurement. Part 4. Interpersonal, Intergroup, and Cultural Context. C.L. Carmichael, F.-F. Tsai, S.M. Smith, P.A. Caprariello, H.T. Reis, Self and Intimate Relationships. J.M. Twenge, The Socially Excluded Self. H.S. Kim, D. Ko, Culture and Self-Expression.