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The Self

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Part of the Frontiers of Social Psychology series

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.

Table of Contents

I. Brain and Cognition. 1. A Social Brain Sciences Approach to Understanding Self (Todd Heatherton, C. Neil Macrae, & William M. Kelley) 2. Self-Affection without Self-Reflection: Origins, Models, and Consequences of Implicit Self-Esteem (Sander L. Koole & Tracy DeHart) 3. Content and Structure of the Self-Concept (Allen R. McConnell & Laura M. Strain) 4. Autobiographical Memory (Lisa Libby) II. Motivation. 5. The Self as a Social Comparer (Penelope Lockwood & Jacqueline Matthews) 6. The Narcissistic Self: Background, the Extended Agency Model, and Ongoing Controversies (W. Keith Campbell & Joshua D. Foster) 7. Self-Regulation: How and Why People Reach (and Fail to Reach) Their Goals (Kathleen D. Vohs & Brandon J. Schmeichel) 8. The Importance of Being Modest (Constantine Sedikides, Aiden P. Gregg, & Claire M. Hart) III. Emotions and Self-Esteem. 9. Self-Conscious Emotions: Where Self and Emotion Meet (Jessica L. Tracy & Richard W. Robins) 10. A Matter of Life and Death: Terror Management and the Existential Relevance of Self-Esteem (Jamie Arndt, Jeff Schimel, & Cathy R. Cox) 11. Self-Esteem: A Human Elaboration of Prehuman Belongingness Motivation (Geoff MacDonald) 12. Self-Esteem: On the Relation between Conceptualization and Measurement (Virginia S. Y. Kwan & Anesu N. Mandisodza) IV. Interpersonal, Intergroup, and Cultural Context. 13. Self and Intimate Relationships (Cheryl L. Carmichael, Fen-Fang Tsai, Shannon M. Smith, & Peter A. Caprariello, & Harry T. Reis) 14. The Socially Excluded Self (Jean M. Twenge) 15. Culture and Self-Expression (Heejung S. Kim & Deborah Ko)

Reviews

“Sedikides and Spencer have assembled an outstanding group of contributors who do some of the most exciting research on the self in psychology. Anyone who wants to know what’s happening in research on the self should definitely take a close look at this volume.”

Jennifer Crocker, Ph.D., Claude M. Steele Collegiate Professor of Psychology, University of Michigan

“This is a fascinating and informative volume on an ever-important topic. The contributors include many of the most exciting young researchers in the field.”

Roy F. Baumeister, Ph.D., Social Psychology Area Director and Francis Eppes Eminent Scholar, Florida State University