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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...
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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...
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Updated: Feb 27, 2026

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The True Self: A Psychological Concept Distinct From the Self.

Nina Strohminger1, Joshua Knobe1, George Newman1

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Perspectives on Psychological Science : a Journal of the Association for Psychological Science
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People distinguish between the general self and the true self, which represents core identity. The true self is consistently perceived as positive and moral across different perspectives and cultures.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Psychological research traditionally differentiates between self-related and non-self-related characteristics.
  • Recent research investigates a nuanced distinction within the self: the concept of the 'true self'.
  • The true self comprises characteristics perceived as fundamental to an individual's core identity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Introduce and define the concept of the true self.
  • Identify key features distinguishing the true self from the general self.
  • Examine the perceived characteristics of the true self, including its positivity and morality.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of psychological research on self-perception.
  • Analysis of existing findings on the true self concept.
  • Exploration of theoretical explanations and implications.

Main Results:

  • The true self is conceptualized as a subset of internal characteristics central to one's identity.
  • Recent findings indicate the true self is perceived as inherently positive and moral.
  • This perception of the true self is invariant across actor-observer perspectives and demonstrates cross-cultural stability.

Conclusions:

  • The true self represents a core, stable, and morally positive aspect of identity.
  • Understanding the true self has significant implications for various psychological theories and applications.
  • Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and broader impact of the true self concept.