The integration of self and significant others

THIS PAPER is a study of self-conception viewed as an interpersonal construct. A relatively simple but flexible and multilevel design used in the study provides an opportunity to observe the relationship between the usually assumed generalized and global sense of self-conception and the self as perceived when in the presence of significant others. Hypotheses derived from theories of the self were formulated to test the postulated importance of significant others, and particularly the mother figure, in the development, stabilization, and integration of self-conception and, specifically, self-evaluation.