The relational selves consist of our self-knowledge that is linked to our knowledge about significant others in our lives. Our relational self might be different than the mental representation we have for ourselves without the consideration of others.

Alma College

The relational self pertains to how the self is related to others; specifically, how mental representations may be tied to other people and how we change how we define ourselves when in the context of other people. 

Relational Self

Chen, S., Boucher, H. C., & Tapias, M. P. (2006). The relational self revealed: integrative conceptualization and implications for interpersonal life. Psychological bulletin, 132(2), 151.

The Relational Self Revealed

- Influence many of our psychological processes and their outcomes 
- Often activated automatically
- Serve many fundamental orienting and meaning functions
- Allow for coherence, continuity, situational variability in our personality 
- Influence our psychological well-being

The Role of the Relational Self in our Interpersonal Lives

Mental Representations of the Relational Self

The levels of specificity people may have for the relational self: 
- Relationship-specific relational self  
- Generalized relational self
- Global relational self

Learn Before

Related