The relational self revealed: integrative conceptualization and implications for interpersonal life

Psychological Bulletin
Serena ChenMolly Parker Tapias

Abstract

The authors offer a new, integrative conceptualization of the relational self based on a synthesis of recent approaches to the self and significant others. This conceptualization provides a sharper and fuller definition of the relational self than does any existing approach alone and a common framework to interpret findings from separate literatures. The authors then present 5 propositions and evidence to support the thesis that relational selves exert a pervasive influence on interpersonal life. Specifically, relational selves (a) shape a wide range of psychological processes and outcomes, (b) exert their influence automatically, (c) serve basic orientation and meaning functions, (d) provide continuity and context-specific variability in personality, and (e) carry implications for psychological well-being. Discussion focuses on remaining issues and implications for future research.

References

Jun 1, 1976·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·W J McGuire, A Padawer-Singer
Aug 1, 1992·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·J M Gottman, R W Levenson
Jun 1, 1992·Journal of Personality·R R McCrae, O P John
Aug 1, 1991·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·K Bartholomew, L M Horowitz
Mar 1, 1990·Advances in Contraception : the Official Journal of the Society for the Advancement of Contraception·K SinghS S Ratnam
Sep 1, 1990·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·S M Andersen, S W Cole
Jun 1, 1990·Shinrigaku kenkyu : The Japanese journal of psychology·M Matsui
Mar 1, 1988·American Journal of Medical Genetics·R W LeechG B Schaefer
May 1, 1988·Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines·M Kerfoot
Mar 1, 1987·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·C Hazan, P Shaver
Apr 1, 1987·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·P W Linville
Jul 1, 1987·Psychological Review·E T Higgins
Oct 1, 1986·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·H Markus, Z Kunda
Nov 1, 1985·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·J V WoodR R Lichtman
May 1, 1968·The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science·M Rutter
Jul 1, 1995·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·S M AndersenS W Cole
Aug 1, 1995·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·P T Costa, R R McCrae
Oct 1, 1994·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·M R LearyA McMullen
Jan 1, 1994·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·M Biernat, M Manis
Mar 1, 1994·Psychological Bulletin·R F BaumeisterT F Heatherton
Feb 1, 1994·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·M B Brewer, J G Weber
Apr 1, 1993·Psychological Review·D M Buss, D P Schmitt
Jul 1, 1997·Psychological Bulletin·S E Cross, L Madson
Jul 1, 1997·The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis·I Kirsch, S J Lynn
Nov 19, 1997·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·R C Fraley, P R Shaver
Feb 4, 1998·Development and Psychopathology·S HarterN R Whitesell
Sep 10, 1998·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·M MikulincerD Iavnieli
Aug 6, 1999·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·E R SmithS Coats
Sep 4, 1999·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·S M DrigotasS W Whitton
Oct 13, 1999·Mutation Research·A A Morley, D R Turner
Nov 24, 1999·Psychological Review·Steven J HeineShinobu Kitayama
Jan 8, 2000·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·N S Glassman, S M Andersen
Mar 9, 2000·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·W L Cook
May 4, 2000·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·S E CrossM L Morris
May 26, 2001·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·D A Stapel, W Koomen
Aug 25, 2001·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·M MikulincerO Gillath
Mar 21, 2002·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·Susan E CrossJonathan S Gore

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 24, 2008·Journal of Religion and Health·Earl D Bland
Aug 19, 2009·Journal of Family Psychology : JFP : Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43)·Christine M ProulxHeather Helms
Aug 11, 2011·Cognition & Emotion·Paul K PiffDacher Keltner
Feb 13, 2014·Death Studies·Anthony PapaM Todd Sewell
Oct 12, 2010·Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice·Peter MundyHeather Henderson
Nov 1, 2007·Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs·David W ReidThao Nguyen
Sep 22, 2010·Issues in Mental Health Nursing·Linda H Garrett
Jan 19, 2016·Frontiers in Psychology·Susan M AndersenJoy H Xu
Oct 5, 2010·Neural Networks : the Official Journal of the International Neural Network Society·Peter Mundy, William Jarrold
Aug 19, 2009·Journal of Personality·Stacey SinclairJanetta Lun
Sep 19, 2007·New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development·Miri Scharf, Ofra Mayseless
Jan 11, 2008·Journal of Clinical Psychology·Giancarlo Dimaggio, John C Norcross
Apr 3, 2012·Scandinavian Journal of Psychology·Hongfei DuPeilian Chi
Feb 14, 2012·Social Science & Medicine·Sarah Rosenfield
Mar 15, 2011·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Tammy English, Serena Chen
Aug 29, 2009·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Ozlem AydukAnna Luerssen
May 6, 2008·Personality and Social Psychology Review : an Official Journal of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc·Dominic J Packer
Jun 22, 2017·Topics in Cognitive Science·Daniel F X Willard, Arthur B Markman
Sep 15, 2017·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Muping Gan, Serena Chen
Mar 31, 2021·Journal of Personality Assessment·Walter D ScottBlake Mallory
May 6, 2021·Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·Jiwen LiJuan Yang
Jul 25, 2021·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Nicole CarusoneMindy Shoss

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.