Personal identity from a constructivist perspective: a narrative review focused on self-discrepancy theory vale
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5944/rdp.v35i127.39568Keywords:
self, personal identity, self-discrepancy, personality, constructivismAbstract
This work provides a comprehensive exploration of personal identity construction from a constructivist perspective, with a special focus on Self-Discrepancy Theory (SDT). Beginning with the conceptualization of identity as a dynamic and continuous process, it addresses the cognitive dimensions of self-domains and self-perspectives, giving rise to six basic representations of self-states. Self-Discrepancy Theory, centered on reducing discrepancies between different selves, reveals how these discrepancies generate psychological distress and motivation for change. It emphasizes how individuals, throughout their lives, construct, modify, and maintain their personal identity in response to discrepancies between different self-representations, such as the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. The literature review analyzes relevant studies applying Self-Discrepancy Theory in various contexts, from academic to clinical, showcasing its utility in understanding motivation for change and efforts to achieve the desired identity. In conclusion, this article presents a comprehensive narrative review contributing to the understanding and application of constructivist psychology and Self-Discrepancy Theory in clinical, educational, social, and occupational settings.
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