Real Self

Definition

The real self refers to the authentic, true inner essence of an individual, as opposed to the idealized or socially-constructed self. It represents one's genuine thoughts, feelings, and desires that are often hidden from others or even from oneself. The real self is a central concept in humanistic psychology, which emphasizes the importance of self-actualization and living in accordance with one's authentic nature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The real self is often obscured by the ideal self, which is the version of oneself that an individual aspires to become based on societal norms and personal goals.
2. Humanistic psychologists, such as Carl Rogers, believed that individuals should strive to live in accordance with their real self, rather than the ideal self, in order to achieve self-actualization and well-being.
3. Unconditional positive regard, where an individual is accepted and valued for who they are without judgment or conditions, can help facilitate the emergence and expression of the real self.
4. Developing self-awareness and self-acceptance are crucial steps in aligning one's actions and behaviors with the real self, rather than the ideal self or social expectations.
5. The real self is considered to be the authentic, true inner essence of an individual, which may not always align with the persona or image they present to the world.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of the real self relates to the humanistic approach in psychology.
  • The real self is a central concept in humanistic psychology, which emphasizes the importance of self-actualization and living in accordance with one's authentic nature. Humanistic psychologists, such as Carl Rogers, believed that individuals should strive to align their actions and behaviors with their real self, rather than the ideal self shaped by societal expectations. This process of self-actualization, where individuals realize and fulfill their full potential, is seen as the key to achieving well-being and personal growth.
• Describe the role of unconditional positive regard in the development of the real self.
  • Unconditional positive regard, where an individual is accepted and valued for who they are without judgment or conditions, can help facilitate the emergence and expression of the real self. When individuals feel accepted and valued for their authentic selves, they are more likely to feel safe in exploring and embracing their true inner essence, rather than hiding behind a socially-constructed persona or ideal self. This acceptance and support can foster self-awareness, self-acceptance, and the courage to live in alignment with one's real self, which is crucial for the process of self-actualization.
• Analyze how the concept of the real self might influence an individual's mental health and well-being.
  • The alignment between an individual's real self and their actions and behaviors is considered crucial for mental health and well-being. When individuals are able to live in accordance with their authentic inner self, they are more likely to experience a sense of fulfillment, purpose, and congruence in their lives. Conversely, when individuals feel compelled to conform to societal expectations or an idealized version of themselves, they may experience dissonance, stress, and a lack of self-acceptance, which can negatively impact their mental health. By embracing and expressing their real self, individuals can engage in the process of self-actualization, which is associated with higher levels of well-being, self-esteem, and personal growth.

Related terms

Ideal Self: The ideal self is the version of oneself that an individual aspires to be, often shaped by societal expectations and personal goals. It represents the person one wishes to become, rather than the true self.

Self-Actualization: Self-actualization is the process of realizing and fulfilling one's full potential, which involves aligning one's actions and behaviors with their real self, rather than the ideal self or societal expectations.

Unconditional Positive Regard: Unconditional positive regard is the concept of accepting and valuing an individual for who they are, without judgment or the imposition of conditions, which can help foster the development of the real self.