Key Topics in the Psychology of the Self

Having a sense of ‘self’ influences much of our daily lives. It determines what we pay attention to and remember, what we daydream about, and how we interact with and perceive the external world. Key Topics in Psychology of the Self explores core concepts of ‘I’ and ‘me’ and how these emerge and develop. It also examines the ways in which the self shapes cognition, behaviour, and identity. A clear overview of key psychology theories is presented, alongside the research methods on which they are based, including memory and attention experiments, developmental studies, neuroimaging, and clinical research. The book also considers how understanding the self informs wider areas of psychology and real-world issues, such as education, clinical psychology, and the impact of digital representations and AI on self-perception. Written by academics with extensive experience in psychology research and teaching, this book provides a fascinating exploration of the self and its central role in psychology. Using relatable language and everyday examples, the authors make complex issues accessible and relatable. It is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate psychology students, researchers, and anyone with an interest in understanding the self.