Self and Identity

Scope

Self and Identity is devoted to the study of social and psychological processes of the self, including both its agentic aspects, as well as the perceived and construed aspects as reflected in its mental representations. Work on self and identity has a special place in the study of human nature, as self-concerns are arguably at the center of individuals’ striving for well-being and for making sense of one’s life. Life goals develop and are influenced by one’s view of what one is like, the way one would ideally like to be (or would like to avoid being), as well as one’s perceptions of what is feasible. Furthermore, conceptions of self and the world affect how one’s progress towards these goals is monitored, evaluated, redirected, re-evaluated, and pursued again. Thus, the "self" as a construct has far-reaching implications for behavior, self-esteem, motivation, experience of emotions and the world more broadly, and hence for interpersonal relationships, society, and culture. The Journal aims to bring together empirical work on self and identity undertaken by researchers across different subdisciplines within psychology (e.g., social, personality, clinical, development, cognitive), as well as across other social and behavioral disciplines (e.g., sociology, family studies, anthropology, neuroscience). Special emphasis is placed on new empirical research that is relevant for extant theoretical models and generative in opening new terrain for future investigation. A second continual motivating goal of the Journal is empirical research that offers integration at the level of basic processes. The Journal provides scientists, practitioners, and students in psychology, sociology, consumer behavior, behavioral medicine, and psychiatry around the world with access to cutting edge empirical research and occasional theoretical pieces.