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Related Concept Videos

Understanding the Self01:28

Understanding the Self

The self is a central aspect of human identity, encompassing an individual’s beliefs, emotions, perceptions, and experiences. It is a cognitive and psychological construct that enables individuals to interpret their traits and behaviors, influencing how they perceive themselves and interact with the world. While personality consists of stable and enduring characteristics, the self is shaped by self-perception and social experiences. This distinction highlights the dynamic nature of the self,...
Self-Schemas02:16

Self-Schemas

In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.
Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game01:24

Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game

The development of self in children is deeply rooted in social interactions, mainly through stages of play and structured games. These stages, outlined by sociologist George Herbert Mead, illustrate how children progressively learn to understand and adopt social roles, forming a cohesive sense of self.The Play Stage: Imitation and Simple Role-TakingIn the early years of childhood, the play stage is characterized by imitative behavior, where children engage in role-playing based on familiar...
Understanding Self-Concept01:20

Understanding Self-Concept

The self-concept encompasses individuals' beliefs about themselves, structured through cognitive frameworks known as self-schemas. These schemas function as mental representations of specific traits or behaviors, influencing how self-relevant information is perceived, processed, and remembered. For example, individuals who are schematic for body weight are more likely to interpret routine experiences—such as dining out or shopping—through the lens of that trait. Conversely, those aschematic for...
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison02:57

The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison

According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
Self-Discrepancy Theory02:45

Self-Discrepancy Theory

One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

A Modified Mirror Test as a Visual Guide for the Self-awareness Trait in Wild Antarctica Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae
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A pattern theory of self.

Shaun Gallagher1

  • 1Department of Philosophy, University of Memphis , Memphis, TN , USA ; School of Humanities, University of Hertfordshire , Hatfield, Hertfordshire , UK.

Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|August 6, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A pattern theory of self proposes that the self is composed of multiple interconnected aspects. This framework helps reconcile diverse self-concept theories and understand their relationship to brain activity.

Keywords:
cortical midline structuresfirst-person perspectivepattern theoryself

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Philosophy of Mind
  • Psychology

Background:

  • The concept of 'self' is complex and multifaceted, leading to various theoretical interpretations.
  • Existing theories often present conflicting views on the nature and constituents of the self.
  • Understanding the self is crucial for interdisciplinary research across psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a pattern theory of self as an organizing framework for interdisciplinary discussions.
  • To demonstrate how diverse self-concept theories can be viewed as compatible within this framework.
  • To explore the relationship between different aspects of the self and their neural correlates.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical argumentation and synthesis of existing concepts related to the self.
  • Identification of characteristic features or aspects constituting the self (e.g., embodied, experiential, narrative).
  • Analysis of how these aspects relate to each other and to broader conceptions of self.

Main Results:

  • A pattern theory of self integrates various features: minimal embodied, minimal experiential, affective, intersubjective, psychological/cognitive, narrative, extended, and situated aspects.
  • This theory reconciles seemingly opposing views on the self, highlighting their commensurability.
  • It provides a structure for relating different self-aspects and mapping them onto neural processing, such as self-referential processing in the brain.

Conclusions:

  • The pattern theory of self offers a unifying and flexible approach to understanding self-concept.
  • It facilitates interdisciplinary dialogue by organizing diverse perspectives on the self.
  • This framework aids in clarifying the relationship between psychological constructs of self and their underlying neural mechanisms.