Ideal Self

Definition

The ideal self refers to the vision an individual has for their best possible self - the person they aspire to become or the qualities they wish to embody. It represents the individual's hopes, dreams, and aspirations for personal growth and fulfillment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The ideal self is a key concept in humanistic psychology, which emphasizes the inherent drive for personal growth and self-fulfillment.
2. The discrepancy between an individual's ideal self and their perceived actual self can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction and a desire for self-improvement.
3. The ideal self is often influenced by societal and cultural expectations, as well as personal values and aspirations.
4. Developing a realistic and achievable ideal self can help individuals set meaningful goals and work towards personal growth and self-actualization.
5. Counseling and psychotherapy approaches, such as person-centered therapy, often focus on helping individuals align their ideal self with their actual self.

Review Questions

• Explain how the ideal self relates to the concept of self-actualization in humanistic psychology.
  • The ideal self is closely tied to the concept of self-actualization in humanistic psychology. The ideal self represents an individual's vision for their best possible self, the person they aspire to become. Self-actualization is the process of realizing this potential and becoming the most authentic, fulfilling version of oneself. By aligning their actual self with their ideal self, individuals can work towards self-actualization and the fulfillment of their inherent drive for personal growth and self-improvement.
• Describe how societal and cultural influences can shape an individual's ideal self.
  • An individual's ideal self is often shaped by the societal and cultural expectations they are exposed to. These external influences can include media portrayals of success and beauty, family and peer expectations, and broader cultural values and norms. As a result, an individual's ideal self may not always align with their true personal aspirations and may instead reflect a vision of themselves that is influenced by societal pressures. Understanding the impact of these external factors on the ideal self is important for individuals to develop a more authentic and achievable vision for their personal growth and self-actualization.
• Analyze how the discrepancy between an individual's ideal self and actual self can impact their overall well-being and psychological health.
  • The discrepancy between an individual's ideal self and their actual self can have significant implications for their psychological well-being and overall life satisfaction. When there is a large gap between the person they aspire to be and the person they perceive themselves to be, it can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and a sense of failure or inadequacy. This discrepancy can also fuel a constant drive for self-improvement, which, if unrealistic or unhealthy, can contribute to stress, anxiety, and a lack of self-acceptance. Addressing this gap and helping individuals develop a more realistic and achievable ideal self is a key focus of humanistic approaches to counseling and psychotherapy, as it can promote greater self-acceptance, personal growth, and overall well-being.

Related terms

Self-Concept:

The self-concept is an individual's perception of their own abilities, traits, and characteristics, which can influence their ideal self.

Self-Actualization:

Self-actualization is the process of realizing one's full potential and becoming the best version of oneself, which is closely tied to the ideal self.

Congruence:

Congruence refers to the alignment between an individual's ideal self and their actual self, which can impact their overall well-being and personal growth.