Relational Self-Construal: Past and Future

Relational self-construal is characterized as the extent to which a person defines the self in terms of close relationships. In this article, I distinguish relational self-construal from collectiveinterdependent self-construal and from other similar-sounding constructs. I review the history of the concept of relational self-construal and how it is most frequently measured or manipulated. The remainder of the article focuses on research that examines the role of relational self-construal in cognition, affect, motivation, and close interpersonal relationships. Relational Self-Construal: Past and Future ‘I am outspoken, usually cheerful, sometimes cranky, critical; I like jazz and swimming; and I am planning a career in politics’. (Ashley, age 22) ‘I am outgoing, smart, a good daughter, a good girlfriend, a Catholic, an American, a Democrat’. (Anne, age 23) These two statements are drawn from students’ responses to the question ‘Who am I?’ The first young woman describes herself primarily in terms of personality characteristics, preferences, and goals. In contrast, the second young woman includes many more descriptors that refer to relationships and group memberships. What difference does it make if one person conceptualizes herself in terms of close relationships, whereas another thinks of herself in terms of her personality, goals, and interests? That has been the central question in research on the relational self-construal, which is conceptualized as the extent to which a person defines the self in terms of close relationships (Cross, Bacon, & Morris, 2000). This article reviews the current status of this work, differentiates it from other similar constructs, and points out remaining areas of research.