What is the narrative self?

The narrative self refers to an internalized story that shapes an individual's identity through experiences. This concept emphasizes how people construct their identities through the stories they tell about their lives, integrating various events, relationships, and reflections into a coherent personal narrative. This process helps individuals make sense of their past, present, and future, contributing to a continuous sense of who they are. By viewing the self as a narrative, it highlights the role of personal experiences and meaning-making in identity formation, suggesting that our sense of self is shaped not merely by individual events but by how we interpret those events within a larger context or storyline.

In contrast, while cultural norms may influence the narrative self, defining it solely as a global concept ignores the personal and subjective nature of narrative identity. Psychological theories surrounding mental disorders might reference aspects of personal narrative but are not a direct definition of the narrative self. The physical representation of the self in art pertains to visual or material expressions of self-identity, which differs fundamentally from the idea of narrative construction. Thus, the first option captures the essence of how narratives function in the development of self-identity.