The sense of self is the most basic aspect of an individual's way of being in the world. Early in life, children come to understand this fundamental fact about their existence. As their bodies and minds grow, the idea of being "me" remains a constant, highlighting the enduring essence of self throughout various life stages.
Emily Hards and colleagues ask the question, "What is the self, anyway?" in their review of decades of research on the self. They note the self is notoriously difficult to define, being a complex construct with no clear universal definition. Hards et al. aimed for a parsimonious understanding by mapping diverse areas of psychology into major themes.
Raising the question "Who am I?" can offer valuable perspective on your life trajectory. Amidst life's busyness, an event or memory might prompt reflection on whether you are living your best life or longing for the dreams of the past. Such reflections are crucial for personal growth and understanding.
The synthesis of self-research in the recent paper categorizes findings into five blocks which detail the connections among them, providing a structured framework for understanding the complexities of self and its development throughout an individual's life.
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