This research aimed at testing an hypothetical matrix to be used for the study of self-concept development within a life-span perspective. Following data categorization collected from 111 female university students, a significant relationship was found between structural levels and content dimensions, demonstrating a linear form of development. Also several content dimensions were often used in subjects' self-definitions, illustrating the multidimensional aspect of such development in adults.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BugentalJ. F. T.ZelenS. L. (1950) Investigations into the “self-concept” I: the W.A.Y. technique. Journal of Personality, 17, 483–498.
2.
EpsteinS. (1973) The self concept revisited or a theory of a theory. American Psychologist, 28, 405–416.
3.
FischerK. W. (1980) A theory of cognitive development: the control and construction of hierarchies of skills. Psychological Review, 87, 477–531.
4.
GordonC.GergenK. J. (Eds.) (1968) The self in social interaction. New York: Wiley.
5.
HarterS. (1983) Developmental perspectives on the self-system. In MussenP. H. (Ed.), Carmichael's ‘Manual of child psychology! (4th ed.) New York: Wiley. Pp. 275–385.
6.
L'EcuyerR. (1978) Le Concept de Soi. Paris: P.U.F.
7.
L'EcuyerR. (1981) The development of the self-concept through the life span. In LynchM. D.Norem-HebeisenA. A.GergenK. (Eds.), Self-concept: advances in theory and research. New York: Bellinger. Pp. 203–218.
8.
McGuireW. (1981) The spontaneous self-concept as affected by personal distinctiveness. In LynchM. D.Norem-HebeisenA. A.GergenK. (Eds.), Self-concept: advances in theory and research. New York: Bellinger. Pp. 147–171.
9.
MontemayorR.EisenM. (1977) The development of self-conceptions from childhood to adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 13, 314–319.
10.
ReynoldsH. T. (1977) The analysis of cross-classifications. New York: Free Press, Collier Macmillan.
11.
RiegelK. F. (1976) The dialectics of human development. American Psychologist, 31, 679–700.
12.
RosenbergM. (1979) Conceiving the self. New York: Basic Books.
13.
SelmanR. L. (1980) The growth of interpersonal understanding. New York: Academic Press.
14.
Van der WerffJ. J. (1985) Individual problems of self-definition. An overview, and a view. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 8, 445–447.
15.
YardleyK. M. (1987) What do you mean Who am I? Exploring the implications of a self-concept measurement with subjects. In YardleyK. M.HonessT. (Eds.), Self and identity: psychosocial perspectives. New York: Wiley. Pp. 211–230.
