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Related Experiment Videos

The relational self: an interpersonal social-cognitive theory.

Susan M Andersen1, Serena Chen

  • 1Department of Psychology, New York University, New York 10003, USA. andersen@psych.nyu.edu

Psychological Review
|October 11, 2002
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces the relational self theory, where self-knowledge connects to significant others, influencing interpersonal patterns. This interpersonal social-cognitive framework explains personality and self-regulation through activated relationship representations.

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Area of Science:

  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Personality Theory

Background:

  • The self is often viewed in isolation, but interpersonal connections significantly shape personality.
  • Transference, the activation of significant other representations in new relationships, plays a key role in social cognition.
  • Existing theories may not fully capture the dynamic interplay between self-knowledge and social relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose and elaborate on the interpersonal social-cognitive theory of the relational self.
  • To explain how knowledge of self and significant others are interconnected.
  • To outline the functional role of relational selves in interpersonal patterns and self-regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical development of the relational self concept.

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  • Integration of social-cognitive principles with interpersonal theories.
  • Conceptualization of transference as a mechanism evoking the relational self.
  • Application of if-then contingency principles to relational self functioning.

    • Main Results:

    • Knowledge about the self is intrinsically linked with knowledge about significant others, forming self-other relationships.
    • Transference activates these linked representations, evoking the relational self in interpersonal contexts.
    • Relational self variability is influenced by situational cues, while stability is maintained by the accessibility of other representations.
    • An individual's repertoire of relational selves dictates patterns in affect, motivation, self-evaluation, and self-regulation.

    Conclusions:

    • The relational self provides a novel framework for understanding personality and the self within an interpersonal context.
    • This theory highlights the dynamic and context-dependent nature of the self.
    • Relational selves offer a mechanism for explaining consistent yet flexible interpersonal behavior and self-regulation.