What does the I-Self refer to?

The I-Self refers specifically to the part of the self that recognizes one's identity and serves as the conscious agent of action. It encompasses the subjective experience of being an individual, including the awareness of one's continuity and distinctiveness from others. This self is involved in self-reflection, self-esteem, and the ability to construct a narrative about one's life experiences and identity. It is linked to the experiences and thoughts that shape an individual's understanding of who they are, distinguishing it from merely being a collection of traits or experiences.

The other options, while related to aspects of self, do not capture the essence of the I-Self's role in recognizing identity. The empirical self pertains more to observable aspects of existence, the collection of personal experiences reflects more of accumulated data about a person, and physical attributes are strictly about the body's characteristics rather than the introspective or identity-forming aspects of the self. Thus, identifying the I-Self as the one that recognizes one's identity is fundamental to understanding this psychological concept.