What does it mean to feel small? Three dimensions of the small self. Issue 4 (19th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tyson, Courtney; Hornsey, Matthew J.; Barlow, Fiona Kate
• Is Part Of: Self and identity. Volume 21:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 387
• Page End: 405
• Publication Date: 2022-05-19
• Subjects: Awe -- small self -- self-esteem -- self-transcendence; Self -- Periodicals; Identity (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Cognition -- Periodicals; Motivation (Psychology) -- Periodicals; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2021.1921018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1529-8868

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Despite growing interest in the "small self", there is little clarity about what it means and how it should be measured. Three studies ( N =922) identified three constructs: (1) self-size (metaphorical experiences of smallness), (2) vastness relative to the self (feeling the presence of something bigger than the self) and (3) self-perspective (feeling as though one's day-to-day concerns are trivial in the big picture). Each dimension had a distinct psychological signature: self-perspective was associated with less ethical decision-making, perceived self-size shared negative correlations with self-esteem and collective identification, and vastness relative to the self was associated with high levels of self-esteem and collective identification. The data suggest that awareness of vaster forces represents psychological expansion (rather than shrinking) of the self.