A self-representation is an internal image of the self, or how one sees oneself in one’s mind. It is a subjective view of the self that involves how one thinks and feels about oneself and how one treats oneself. The self-representation reflects how a person construes external reality and conveys his or her interpretation of experiences. As a composite of experiences that share similar themes, a self-representation serves as a way of organizing experiences to provide a sense of familiarity and continuity.

In 1890, William James suggested that the self was a relevant domain of study in psychology. Since then, researchers in the fields of social, cognitive, personality, and clinical psychology have proposed theories on the development and processes of self-functioning. Many of these theories draw ...