Embracing Possible Selves: A Journey towards Personal Growth

We dream of possibilities. We savor vivid thoughts of ourselves in an imagined ideal future. In 1986, Hazel Markus and Paula Nurius built a motivation theory around the conscious mind’s future focus of wandering thoughts (Markus & Nurius 1986, p. 954). In this theory, a person’s visions of themselves in the future is more than wasteful dreaming but actual a helpful function to achieve goals and avoid fears. Markus and Nurius call these future oriented concepts as ‘possible selves.’ A possible self is a vision of the person we will be in the future , drawing from personal knowledge, past experiences, social interactions, and cultural context. The possible self is a construction of “goals, aspirations, motives, fears, and threats” (Markus & Nurius 1986).

According to Markus and Nurius, possible selves are components of the larger self-concept. A possible self is more than idealistic dreams; they may also include fears of who we don’t want to become. Markus and Nurius wrote that, “An individual’s repertoire of possible selves can be viewed as the cognitive manifestations of enduring goals, aspirations, motives, fears, and threats” (Markus & Nurius, 1986).

Hoped-For and Feared Selves

Our visions of self in the future are often multifaceted, encompassing not only our aspirations and dreams but also our fears and insecurities. While many people envision an idealized version of themselves—successful, happy, and fulfilled—it is equally common to conjure images of a darker future. This negative visualization can manifest as feelings of inadequacy or anxiety about becoming someone we deeply fear: a lonely outcast, a failure in personal or professional life, or simply someone who does not live up to their own expectations.

These bleak possibilities serve as stark reminders of what we wish to avoid and can highlight the dissonance between our current selves and our desired futures. By acknowledging these less flattering visions, we engage with the complexities of our identities and motivations.

Interestingly, these adverse potential selves can act as powerful motivators for change. Rather than succumbing to despair over such negative projections, individuals may find that they spur proactive behaviors aimed at avoiding these feared outcomes. For instance, reflecting on the possibility of being rejected can push one to cultivate deeper connections with others or develop better social skills; similarly, fearing failure might inspire dedication toward hard work or skill acquisition.

In this way, engaging with both positive and negative possible selves creates a richer understanding of ourselves and fuels personal growth by motivating us to take actionable steps toward crafting a future that aligns more closely with our ideals while sidestepping paths that lead us away from who we aspire to be.

The Foundational Concepts Underlying the “Possible Self” Theory

The foundation of Markus and Nurius’ theory of possible selves is intricately woven from several core areas in psychological research, each contributing vital insights that enhance our understanding of human motivation and behavior. One significant influence comes from various motivation theories, which emphasize the driving forces behind human actions.

These theories highlight how individuals are not merely passive recipients of external stimuli but active agents who seek to achieve their goals based on internal desires and aspirations. By integrating these motivational frameworks, the concept of possible selves emerges as a dynamic tool for self-inspiration, encouraging individuals to envision what they can become rather than simply focusing on current limitations.

Self-Regulation

In addition to motivation theories, self-regulation plays a crucial role in shaping the possible selves framework. Self-regulation involves managing one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors toward achieving personal goals (Murphy, 2024). This process becomes particularly relevant when considering how imagined futures can influence present actions.

When individuals visualize their potential selves—whether idealized or feared—they engage in a form of mental rehearsal that aids in planning actionable steps to bridge the gap between where they are now and where they wish to be. Thus, self-regulatory processes are essential for translating abstract visions into concrete efforts that drive personal growth and development.

Social Cognitive Theory

Moreover, concepts derived from social cognitive theory further enrich Markus and Nurius’ work by highlighting the importance of social interactions and contextual influences on identity development. According to Bandura’s social-cognitive theory, learning occurs through observation within a social context; this means our perceptions of ourselves are shaped significantly by feedback from others as well as cultural norms surrounding us.

The notion of possible selves encapsulates this interplay between individual agency and environmental factors—recognizing that while we have inherent capabilities driven by our past experiences (self-image), we also adapt based on societal expectations (identity development). As such, possible selves serve not only as reflections of personal dreams but also as responses to external cues that shape our ever-evolving sense of identity in connection with those around us.

The Role of the Possible Selves in Shaping thoughts and Behavior

Directing Behavior

Possible selves serve as powerful incentives for future behavior by providing a self-relevant framework that gives meaning, organization, and direction to our actions (Markus & Nurius 1986). They guide individuals in directing their current behaviors towards achieving goals associated with their desired future self while also helping them avoid the feared outcomes they wish to escape. By acting as a bridge between the present self and envisioned futures, possible selves enable us to navigate our aspirations and apprehensions effectively.

Motivation and Self-Regulation

Possible selves play a significant role as motivators by providing the necessary drive for individuals to pursue their goals and avoid outcomes they fear (Markus & Nurius 1986). They serve as cognitive components that represent enduring goals, aspirations, motives, fears, and threats, thus influencing how one evaluates their current abilities and intelligence. Self-concepts significantly influence goals and enhance or inhibit behaviors in relation to those goals (Dweck, 2000, p. 76). The activation of these possible selves can directly impact self-assessment and shape one’s perception of potential.

Moreover, understanding possible selves is crucial for grasping the dynamics of motivation and self-regulation. By recognizing the interplay between aspirations and fears embedded within our envisioned futures, we gain insight into what propels us forward or holds us back. This framework not only highlights the motivational force behind goal pursuit but also emphasizes its importance in navigating personal growth and decision-making processes effectively.

Providing an Evaluative Context

Possible selves offer a valuable evaluative and interpretive context for an individual’s current self-perception by enabling them to assess their present identity in relation to their future aspirations and fears. This framework allows people to reflect on who they are today while considering the potential paths that lie ahead, fostering a deeper understanding of their motivations and desires.

By juxtaposing current traits with envisioned futures—whether idealistic or dreaded—individuals can gain insights into how closely aligned they are with their goals and values. Such evaluations not only illuminate areas for personal growth but also highlight discrepancies between one’s present state and desired outcomes, ultimately guiding decisions and actions that shape one’s trajectory toward becoming the person they aspire to be while avoiding feared realities.

Connection Between Present and Future

Possible selves embody the concept of the future self, representing distinct visions that individuals hold about who they might become. While these possible selves are separate from one’s current self, they maintain a significant connection to it by drawing from past experiences and present realities. This relationship allows individuals to explore their aspirations alongside their fears, providing a comprehensive understanding of what they desire for their future and what outcomes they wish to avoid.

The notion of the self-concept extending both backward and forward through time has long been explored in psychological literature; James (1910) introduced the idea of a “potential social Me” as distinct from the “immediate present Me” and the “Me of the past.” Similarly, Freud (1925) discussed the “ego ideal,” which reflects how parents’ values influence a child’s vision of themselves, while Horney (1950) highlighted that neurosis can arise when an individual fixates excessively on their idealized self.

By contemplating both positive and negative aspects of their potential futures—alongside insights from theorists like Rogers (1951), who emphasized discrepancies between actual and ideal selves—individuals can construct nuanced identities encompassing growth opportunities as well as cautionary tales about paths best left untraveled.

Continuity of Personal Identity

This connection between possible selves and the current self fosters continuity in personal identity while offering a valuable framework for evaluating personal change over time. As Parsons (1968) analyzed retrospective, current, and prospective elements of self-conception, he underscored how this temporal perspective informs our understanding of identity development.

Engaging with envisioned futures—notably through Schutz’s (1964) distinctions between Present Tense acts in progress versus Future Present Tense anticipations—enables individuals to create reference points for assessing progress along their journeys. Basically, knowing where you want to go is maddeningly confusing if you have a radical misperception of where you are.

Such ongoing evaluations not only inform goal-setting but also encourage resilience in navigating life’s challenges by maintaining awareness of desired outcomes versus feared realities. Ultimately, recognizing this interplay empowers individuals to make conscious decisions aligned with their values while facilitating meaningful personal development throughout life’s complexities.

Goal Pursuit

Possible selves play a crucial role in shaping our motivations by providing specific cognitive forms to goals related to various domains, including mastery, power, affiliation, and beyond. By serving as mental representations of what we aspire to achieve or who we wish to become, these envisioned identities can be directly linked to fundamental motivational forces such as the desire for success and the aversion to failure.

For instance, an individual who visualizes themselves as a competent leader (a possible self tied to power) may feel compelled to seek out leadership opportunities and develop relevant skills. Similarly, someone imagining their future self as part of a close-knit community (a possible self associated with affiliation) might actively engage in social activities that foster connections with others.

This dynamic interplay between possible selves and motivation underscores how our aspirations not only guide our actions but also influence the choices we make daily in pursuit of personal growth. Ultimately, understanding these cognitive forms allows individuals to better navigate their paths toward achieving their goals while enhancing their overall sense of agency and purpose in life.

Coping and Resilience

Possible selves significantly influence how individuals cope with challenges, shaping their responses and resilience in the face of adversity. For instance, an optimistic person who envisions positive future selves—rooted in current experiences that reinforce their strengths—is more likely to exhibit resilience when encountering obstacles.

This forward-looking perspective allows them to draw motivation from their envisioned successes, fostering a belief in their capacity to overcome difficulties. By focusing on potential positive outcomes, such as achieving personal goals or maintaining fulfilling relationships, these individuals can develop adaptive coping strategies that enhance their emotional well-being and help them navigate through tough times.

In contrast, those who harbor negative possible selves may find themselves struggling more with coping mechanisms during challenging periods (Markus & Nurius 1986). When faced with setbacks or crises, individuals fixated on unfavorable future scenarios—like fear of failure or feelings of inadequacy—may experience increased anxiety and despair.

Research supports this notion; studies have shown that among individuals recovering from life crises, those who embrace hopeful visions of the future—including sentiments like being satisfied, successful, and optimistic—tend to fare better than those who do not endorse such positive possible selves.

This highlights the importance of cultivating constructive self-visions as part of a broader psychological strategy for overcoming hardships. By acknowledging the power of possible selves in shaping our coping abilities, we can better appreciate how envisioning a brighter future plays a vital role in fostering resilience and facilitating recovery from life’s inevitable challenges.

Decision Making

Possible selves can significantly influence decisions, especially important ones like pursuing a particular career or deciding on a large purchase. Decision making is seen as an arena where possible selves can have influence.

Relationship with Behavior

Possible selves serve as powerful predictors and influencers of behavior, demonstrating a dynamic nature that often surpasses the stability of one’s overall self-concept. Unlike static self-views, possible selves can shift more readily in response to varying contexts and circumstances. This fluidity allows individuals to adapt their aspirations and motivations based on their current environment or experiences.

Empirical research has substantiated this idea. For instance, studies employing objective measures such as video analysis have revealed that activating specific possible selves can lead to significant behavioral changes. A notable example is found in educational settings where children who were encouraged by being labeled as highly skilled—thereby activating a positive possible self—tended to outperform their peers on tasks compared to those who did not receive similar encouragement (Markus & Nurius 1986).

Such findings emphasize the profound impact that envisioned identities have on performance and motivation, illustrating how our perceptions of potential futures can directly shape our actions in meaningful ways.

Self-Concept Change

Possible selves play a crucial role in the working self-concept, which is an ever-evolving and readily accessible array of self-representations that individuals draw upon at any moment. As integral elements of this dynamic framework, possible selves are highly responsive to both internal emotions and external situational factors. This responsiveness indicates that an individual’s thoughts and behaviors—shaped by the working self-concept—can fluctuate based on which possible selves are most prominent or relevant at any given time (Markus & Nurius 1986).

In other words, when certain envisioned identities come to the forefront of one’s awareness, they can significantly influence how one perceives themselves and their actions in various contexts. This interplay highlights the fluidity of our self-perception and underscores how our aspirations for the future can actively shape our present experiences and decision-making processes.

Possible Self is Not a Single Ideation

We often get stuck in then endless vortex of discovering who our true self really is. We have enduring characteristics that remain remarkably stable throughout our lives. However, within these stable characteristics lies a remarkably dynamic, complex, and changing being.

Our visions of who we are are incredibly complex. We act differently within different contexts. Our self-concept flows like water. The current of experience constantly changing the pool of water. The self is a process not a materially defined object. The picture we hold of ourselves is constantly involved in a reciprocal interaction with surrounding forces where behavior, personal factors, and external forces clash and create change.

Our visions a possible selves can borrow from a variety of categories. Markus and Nurius specifically mention six categories used in research for exploring the concept of the possible self.

These are:

Personality

• Creative
• Selfish
• Happy
• Curious
• Intelligent

Physical Attributes

• Handsome
• Athletic
• Healthy

Life Style

• Active social life
• Family oriented
• Alcohol dependent

General Abilities

• Able to cook well
• Creative writer
• Hard worker

Occupation

• CEO
• Police detective
• Author
• Therapist

Other’s Feelings Towards You

• Appreciated
• Loved
• Feared
• Respected

Adaptive Response to Imagined  Futures

We may respond to our visions of possibility in both healthy and unhealthy ways. An adaptive response translates dreams of the future into positive action in the present. We must build a bridge between desired futures and the present.

Anne Laure de Place and Sophie Brunot wrote:

“Possible Selves are thought to energize behavior through the selection of appropriate plans of action and to encourage effort and perseverance” (de Place & Brunot, 2020).

Many dreams lie dormant until they are activated with a workable plan. Do we want the imagined self just to distract from painful present realities or do we want these dreams to motivate action that creates change?

According to C. Rischard Snyder’s hope theory, change requires two ingredients: willpower and waypower.  Hope, according to Snyder, energizes pursuit of goals using willpower and waypower. Willpower is the driving force and way-power is the mental capacity to find effective possibilities (Snyder, 2003).

The Difference Between Doing and Being

Possible selves refers more to who we would like to be than what we would like to do. There is a tremendous differences between achieving or having something and being something. I can set a goal, prepare and achieve it. This is good. Let’s say the goal is to run a 10k. For many this is an achievement. You plan, you train, and achieve your goal. 

The concept is more than this. The vision of our possibilities, along these lines would be “someone who sets and achieves goals,” or, perhaps, “a runner.” Basically, being is more about character and self-definitions. Accordingly. this vision continues to define and motivate action beyond a single goal. After I successfully complete my 10k, the self concept (possible self) continues to motivate action—perhaps a marathon.

Stability of Possible Selves

These concepts are resiliently stable. Our image remains somewhat constant, allowing dreams to fluctuate within boundaries of what we believe we can accomplish. Our vision of the future supercharges goals and motivates action. The vision constructs the bridge, bringing together past experience, current realities, and hoped for futures. Our “possible selves” tend to be relatively stable because they are deeply rooted in our enduring goals, aspirations, and fears.

Here are a few key reasons for this stability:

• Connection to Core Authentic Identity: Possible selves are closely tied to our core identity and self-concept. They reflect our long-term goals and values, which are generally stable over time.
• Consistency in Life Narratives: We often create narratives about our lives that provide a sense of continuity and coherence. These narratives help maintain a stable vision of our possible selves, as they are integrated into our ongoing life story.
• Influence of Past Experiences: Our possible selves are shaped by past experiences and achievements. These experiences provide a foundation for our future aspirations and fears, contributing to the stability of our possible selves.
• Social and Cultural Context: The social and cultural context in which we live also plays a role in stabilizing our possible selves. Societal expectations and norms can reinforce certain visions of the future, making them more consistent over time.

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While our possible selves can evolve with new experiences and changing circumstances, the underlying themes and motivations often remain consistent, providing a stable framework for how we envision our future.

Associated Concepts

• Self-Discrepancy Theory: Proposed by E. Tory Higgins, this theory suggests that individuals compare their actual self to their ideal self (who they want to be) and their ought self (who they think they should be). Discrepancies between these selves can lead to different emotional outcomes.
• Social Cognitive Theory: This theory emphasizes the interaction between individuals and their social environment. It posits that people learn through observing others, modeling their behavior, and receiving reinforcement or punishment.
• Self-Schema Theory: This theory was developed by Hazel Markus. It posits that self-schemas are cognitive generalizations about the self. These generalizations are derived from past experiences. They organize and guide the processing of self-related information. Possible selves can be seen as future-oriented self-schemas.
• Future Oriented Perspective: This concept involves how individuals perceive their future and how this perception influences their motivation and behavior. It is closely related to the idea of possible selves, as both involve envisioning future outcomes and working towards or avoiding them.
• Goal-Setting Theory: Proposed by Edwin Locke and Gary Latham, this theory highlights the importance of setting specific goals. Challenging goals are crucial to enhance motivation and performance. Possible selves often embody these goals and provide a framework for achieving them.
• Identity Theory: This sociological theory, developed by Sheldon Stryker, focuses on the roles and social identities that individuals adopt. Possible selves can be seen as potential identities that individuals strive to achieve or avoid.
• Narrative Identity: This concept involves the internalized and evolving story of the self that integrates past, present, and future. Possible selves are often key components of these narratives, representing future chapters of one’s life story.

A Few Words from Psychology Fanatic

In wrapping up our exploration of the concept of “possible selves,” as introduced by Hazel Markus and Paula Nurius, it’s clear that this framework illuminates the intricate ways we envision our potential futures. Imagine your past experiences intertwining with your hopes, fears, and dreams—this is where the magic happens! Our possible selves act as a cognitive bridge.

They shape our motivations. They also guide our actions in meaningful ways. By embracing both the aspirations we cherish and the apprehensions we harbor, we unlock a deeper understanding of who we are today and who we strive to become tomorrow.

As you reflect on your unique journey through life, consider how these visions can empower you in personal development and foster psychological well-being. Each time you visualize a future self—whether filled with hope or shadowed by fear—you’re engaging in an essential practice that fuels growth.

So let’s continue to explore this dynamic theory together; it’s not just an academic concept but a vital tool for transforming your life story into one rich with intention, authenticity, and resilience. Embrace your possible selves. Let them guide you toward creating a future. This future should be truly reflective of your deepest values and desires!

Last Update: January 17, 2026

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