The DOI matches its Crossref record; 5 of the 5 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect.
Abstract
This article presents a theory of how different types of discrepancies between self-state representa-tions are related to different kinds of emotional vulnerabilities. One domain of the self (actual; ideal; ought) and one standpoint on the self (own; significant other) constitute each type of self-state representation. It is proposed that different types of self-discrepancies represent different types of negative psychological situations that are associated with different kinds of discomfort. Discrepan-cies between the actual/own self-state (i.e., the self-concept) and ideal self-stales (i.e., representations of an individual's beliefs about his or her own or a significant other's hopes, wishes, or aspirations for the individual) signify the absence of positive outcomes, which is associated with dejection-related emotions (e.g., disappointment, dissatisfaction, sadness). In contrast, discrepancies between the ac-tual/own self-state and ought self-states (i.e., representations of an individual's beliefs about his or her own or a significant other's beliefs about the individual's duties, responsibilities, or obligations) signify the presence of negative outcomes, which is associated with agitation-related emotions (e.g., fear, threat, restlessness). Differences in both the relative magnitude and the accessibility of individu-als ' available types of self-discrepancies are predicted to be related to differences in the kinds of discomfort people are likely to experience. Correlat…
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“In fact, self-discrepancy is not conceptualized as a conscious construct that the individual can readily self-report (Higgins, 1987).”
From The L2 motivational self system: A meta-analysis (2018) · cites this paper as Higgins, 1987
In the citing paper
“They can change with respect to self-discrepancy between an individual's actual and ideal self, i.e. possible selves can be adjusted to narrow the gap between real and ideal (Higgins 1987).”
From The change in pre-service primary teachers’ possible selves in relation to science teaching (2022) · cites this paper as Higgins 1987
In the citing paper
“These specific possible selves are congruent with the PSTs' current identities (cf. Higgins 1987; Oyserman and Leah 2011), and are also decisive, meaning that they have a strong selfdevelopment orientation (Lutovac and Kaasila 2014).”
From The change in pre-service primary teachers’ possible selves in relation to science teaching (2022) · cites this paper as Higgins 1987
In the citing paper
“The studies on belief change, clearly bring forth the idea that disequilibrium in experiences is required to induce change (Higgins 1987; Pajares 1992).”
From The change in pre-service primary teachers’ possible selves in relation to science teaching (2022) · cites this paper as Higgins 1987
In the citing paper
“A BDD-s páciensek esetében a perfekcionizmus tovább fokozza az aktuális és ideális én közötti különbség et ( ' self-ideal discrepancy ' hypothesis, Higgins, 1987), mivel túl magas standardokat állítanak fel a testi megjelenéssel kapcsolatban, aminek nem tudnak megfelelni.”
From A testdiszmorfiás zavar pszichológiai vonatkozásai (2023) · cites this paper as Higgins, 1987
Citations
Cites
An inventory for measuring depression
BECK, A. T. (1961) · Archives of General Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1961.01710120031004 · Cited by 38,032
Society and the Adolescent Self-Image
Rosenberg, M. (1965) · doi:10.1515/9781400876136 · Cited by 30,126
Russell, J. A. (1980) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/h0077714 · Cited by 16,334
Plans and the structure of behavior.
Miller, G. A., Galanter, E., & Pribram, K. H. (1960) · doi:10.1037/10039-000 · Cited by 4,630
Self-focusing effects of dispositional self-consciousness, mirror presence, and audience presence.
Carver, C. S., & Scheier, M. F. (1978) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.36.3.324 · Cited by 500
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Arsić, B., Gajić, A., Bašić, A., & Maćešić-Petrović, D. (2022) · Research in Education and Rehabilitation · doi:10.51558/2744-1555.2022.5.2.99
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Hinds, J. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.845388
“However, the idea of an integrated (whole) self (cf. self-discrepancy theory: Higgins, 1987), forms a central feature of the act and art of psychotherapy (Jacobs, 2012).”
Machin, E. A.-M., & Tragant, E. (2022) · Frontiers The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad · doi:10.36366/frontiers.v34i2.492
“The tripartite L2MSS is derived from ideas in social psychology about the future-oriented self-concept and, in particular, the Possible Selves Theory (Markus & Nurius, 1986) and the Self-Discrepancy Theory (Higgins, 1987).”
BackgroundMethodDenwigwe, C. P., Arop, L., Edward, A., Azubuko, A. H., & Asuquo, P. (2022) · Global Journal of Educational Research · doi:10.4314/gjedr.v21i2.4
Milman, D., & Sternadori, M. M. (2022) · Journal of Communication Inquiry · doi:10.1177/01968599221116389
“It also extends previous research about actual versus ought-selves discrepancies (Calogero & Watson, 2009; Higgins, 1987) to a new context involving medical communication about the “ good mother ” ideal.”
BackgroundResultْThe shortened copy of- Validating a Motivational Self System Questionnaire for EFL Learners
Semiyari, S. R., & Ghorbani, M. (2022) · Critical Language and Literary studies · doi:10.52547/clls.19.28.127
“� Higgins, E. T. (1987). Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect.”
BackgroundCortés-Zapata, E., & Álvarez-Posada, J. (2022) · Búsqueda · doi:10.21892/01239813.636
Lau, C. P. T., Yang, W., Cheung, C., Hui, C. L. M., Chan, S. K. W., Lee, E. H. M., Chang, W. C., Suen, Y. N., Ma, X., & Chen, E. Y. H. (2022) · Journal of Affective Disorders Reports · doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100375
Metadata
- Authors
- Higgins, E. T.
- Corresponding author
- Higgins, E. Tory
- ORCID
- Higgins, E. Tory
- Venue
- Psychological Review
- Published
- 1987
- Volume
- 94
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 319-340
- ISSN
- 0033-295X (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1471
- OpenAlex
- W2162153512
- Cited by
- 7,219
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 364 · 2025: 373 · 2024: 349 · 2023: 336 · 2022: 350 · 2021: 340 · 2020: 392 · 2019: 359 · 2018: 327 · 2017: 318 · 2016: 314 · 2015: 321 · 2014: 317 · 2013: 276 · 2012: 274
- FWCI
- 35.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Review (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH39429)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Keywords
- self-discrepancy theory, actual self, ideal self, ought self, self-concept, emotional vulnerability, dejection, agitation, discomfort, self-esteem
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Affect, Humans, Motivation, Self Concept
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