Authenticity in Context: Being True to Working Selves. Issue 1 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Serena
• Other Names: Hicks Joshua A. guest-editor.; Newman George E. guest-editor.; Schlegel Rebecca J. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Review of general psychology. Volume 23:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: authenticity -- working self-concept -- relational self -- culture; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1037/gpr0000160
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1089-2680

Abstract

The core premise of this article is that it is scientifically informative and psychologically meaningful to conceptualize and assess authenticity in context. I begin by providing some theoretical background on the nature of the self-concept, highlighting how the self-concept is composed of a collection of selves, with different selves activated and therefore at play in different contexts. This basic fact, that the self-concept is both multifaceted and malleable, implies that authenticity is a construct that requires study at a contextual level. I illustrate this by reviewing theory and findings from 3 areas of research, incorporating studies from my laboratory throughout. These areas are (a) authenticity in the context of close relationships; (b) authenticity in hierarchical contexts, wherein one occupies a lower versus higher position of social power; and (c) authenticity in relation to the larger cultural context. Finally, I address a number of issues and questions that arise when considering authenticity in context and propose a number of directions for future research on the context-specific nature of authenticity.