The jigsaw puzzle of self : self-concept clarity lays foundation for self-continuity

Abstract

In the development of self, the literature suggests that both self-concept clarity and self-continuity are key markers of psychological maturity. Erickson regarded identity as the extent to which a person is devoted to pursuing and maintaining a clear, coherent, and consistent view of the self (Campbell et al., 1996; Crocetti, Rubini, & Meeus, 2008; Crocetti, Schwartz, Fermani, & Meeus, 2010; Lodi-

Smith, Spain, Cologgi, & Roberts, 2017; Schwartz et al., 2011), which dovetails with Campbell’s concept of self-concept clarity. Equally important, self-continuity is among one of the five core forms of self-knowledge (Neisser, 1988). It marks the integrity of the individual self. Breakwell (1986), Erikson (1959), and James (1890/1950) claimed that personal identity requires a sense of self-continuity. The integration of various aspects of self at different temporal points is an essential characteristic of identity. What’s more, empirical research has been found that self- concept clarity and self-continuity is subject to common influence and has similar effects (e.g., Burris & Rempel, 2008; Nezlek & Plesko, 2001; Troll & Skaff, 1997). Despite the close association between self-concept clarity and self-continuity, no research has been conducted to examine the relationship between self-concept clarity and self-continuity. Based on the metaphor of the jigsaw puzzle of self, the current research concerns the relations among self-concept clarity, autobiographic memory, and self-continuity. It was hypothesized, and tested in seven studies, that low self-concept clarity would disrupt self-continuity, but resorting to autobiographic memory would counter this disruption, thus restoring self-continuity. In Studies 1-2,

low or threatened self-concept clarity was associated with decreased, or led to a decrease of, self-continuity. In Study 3, participants low (vs. high) in self-concept clarity manifested a stronger preference for an autobiographical memory task (but not for a control task). In Study 4, a suppressed mediational model of autobiographical memory received empirical backing: Threatened self-concept clarity decreased self-continuity, but also increased the propensity to evoke autobiographical memory, which fostered self-continuity. By manipulating autobiographical memory in different ways, Studies 5-7 provided additional direct evidence for the capacity of autobiographical memory to restore self-continuity. Taken together, the results converge in support of the hypothesis.