Possible Selves Mapping
Possible selves represent individual’s ideas of what they might become, what they would like to become, and what they are afraid of becoming, and thus provide a conceptual link between cognition and motivation (Markus & Nurius, 1986). Possible selves are the cognitive components of hopes, fears, and goals that give the specific self-relevant form, meaning, organization, and direction to these dynamics. Possible selves are important because they function as incentives for future behaviors and provide an evaluation and interpretive context for the current view of self. Possible selves are the ideal selves that we would very much like to become. They are the selves we could become and the selves we are afraid of becoming. Possible selves derive from representation of the self in the past and they include representations of the self in the future.
The possible selves mapping exercise is designed to stimulate young people to develop new views of self within the context of their world. It can generate a number of hopes and fears for the future, develop client understanding and appreciation of personal values, and connect current activities with hopes and fears for the future. The Possible Selves Mapping Workbook will be available in Fall 2009.
Markus, H., & Nurius, P. (1986). Possible Selves. American Psychologist, 41, 954-969.