To be Noticed Favorably

Abstract

William James, in The Principles of Psychology, proposed three primary facets of the empirical self. the material self (material possessions); the spiritual self, or self as knower; and the social self, as seen by others. This article draws parallels and distinctions between the spiritual self/social self dichotomy introduced by James and the current-day private self/public self dichotomy. It then reviews recent evidence for, and theoretical processes of, the affective components of the private self and public self. A model of self-presentation, suggesting that self-presentation behavior is often systematically aimed toward the regulation of self-affect, is discussed Evidence in support of this model is introduced—namely, that individuals who have negative self-regard use social relations and their "social selves" to enhance their self-concepts.