Cited by 7,219Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesEmotions and Moral BehaviorBehavioral Health and Interventions

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Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect.

Higgins, E. Tory·1987·Psychological Review

DOI 10.1037/0033-295x.94.3.319

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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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“The self-discrepancy theory [112] suggests that the degree of discrepancy between the actual and ideal self is associated with guilt and shame [99,113,114].”
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Authors: Higgins, E. T.
Corresponding author: Higgins, E. Tory
ORCID: Higgins, E. Tory
Venue: Psychological Review
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 1987
Volume: 94
Issue: 3
Pages: 319-340
ISSN: 0033-295X (ISSN-L)
1939-1471
DOI: 10.1037/0033-295x.94.3.319
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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Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect.

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