Individual Self, Relational Self, Collective Self [Paperback]

Constantine Sedikides (Editor), Marilynn B. Brewer (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 17, 2002

The self-concept consists of three fundamental self-representations: the individual self, the relational self, and the collective self. That is, people seek to achieve self-definition and identity in three fundamental ways: in terms of their personal traits, in terms of their close relationships, and in terms of their group memberships. The nature of the interrelations among these three self-representations forms the core of this volume. Are the individual, the relational, and the collective self indifferent acquaintances, close partners, or bitter opponents? This volume seeks to understand both when each source of self-definition is likely to be used, and also whether individuals typically use one form of self-definition more than the others. The first part takes the vantage point of the individual self and discusses such issues as why the individual self might be primary, in what ways, and how the individual self is related to the other two. Part II addresses the same questions from the perspective of the relational and the collective self as bases for self-definition. Chapters in the third section take the view that all three self-representations are equally prevalent in the achievement of self-definition, and discuss the organismic and contextual conditions that accentuate a particular type of self-representation, or how they are integrated or coordinated. Part IV offers some integrative models, while a final commentary chapter discusses running themes, synthesizes the literature, and points to future research directions.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A delightfully deep and comprehensive examination of all the parts that make up the self. An enviable long list of insightful and creative scholars from North America and Europe provide a number of compelling, and sometimes contradictory, treatments of what the self is all about. This is surely a collection of essays that will prompt a good number of arguments inside the heads of the readers.' - David Dunning, Cornell University 'The collection is unusual in that the contributors all explicitly address a common theme - the interface of the individual, interpersonal, and collective self - through descriptions of their own work. The chapters draw very different conclusions about which aspect of the self - individual, collective, or interpersonal - is primary, and how those aspects interact. This results in a very stimulating volume - a must-read for researchers and graduate students in the field.' - Jennifer Crocker, University of Michigan 'For this volume, [the editors] have recruited some of the best thinkers in this area to provide a broad, integrative and intelligent look at these multiple, often interacting facets of the self. Individual Self, Relational Self, Collective Self is among the most comprehensive and authoritative collections on the psychology of self. Persons interested in what systematic theory and research says about how the self is defined and functions will certainly want to be familiar with its contents.' - Abraham Tesser, University of Georgia

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Psychology Press; New edition edition (March 17, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841690430
• ISBN-13: 978-1841690438
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,597,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)