Possible Selves : Theory, Research & Applications

The concept of possible selves, first brought to life only a short time ago by Hazel Markus and Paula Nurious (1986) has grown into an exciting stream of research. Scholars have examined possible selves with regard to a host of adolescent outcomes, including academic achievement, school persistence, career expectations, self-esteem, delinquency, identity development and altruistic behaviours. Adults' possible selves have been associated with parenthood, physical and mental health, self-esteem, motivation, professional roles, coping and ageing. In addition, gender and ethnicity have been addressed in a number of possible selves studies. Educationally, what has been learned about possible selves offers a unique and viable approach to helping adolescents learn ways to identify and work toward attainable self-goals in the academic and career domains. "Possible Selves: Theory, Research and Application" represents a sample of the current research being conducted in the area of possible selves. The contributors to the book were chosen to represent a variety of perspectives, and to collectively illustrate some of the different ways that possible selves are being conceptualised, empirically examined and used in interventions.