Which theory relates to the feelings of discomfort when there is a gap between actual self and ideal self?

Self-discrepancy theory is the framework that specifically addresses the emotional discomfort experienced when there is a discrepancy between one's actual self and their ideal self. This theory posits that individuals have multiple self-conceptions, which include the actual self (who they are), the ideal self (who they want to be), and the ought self (who they feel they should be based on societal or parental expectations).

When there is a significant gap between the actual self and the ideal self, it often leads to negative emotions such as disappointment, anxiety, or depression, as individuals recognize that they are not living up to their aspirations. The theory illustrates how these discrepancies can influence motivation and behavior.

In contrast, other options like the looking-glass self theory focuses on how individuals form self-images based on how they perceive others view them, rather than on the internal gap between actual and ideal selves. Self-serving bias pertains to individuals' tendency to attribute positive outcomes to themselves while blaming negative outcomes on external factors, and identity theory concerns the ways individuals perceive and engage with their social identities in relation to group dynamics.