Who found that the self is composed of the true self and the false self?

The concept of the self being composed of the true self and the false self was introduced by Donald Winnicott, a prominent psychoanalyst. He argued that the true self refers to the authentic, spontaneous aspect of a person’s identity, while the false self develops as a defense mechanism to cope with external pressures and expectations. The false self often emerges in environments where a person feels that they cannot express their true feelings or needs, leading them to, at times, behave in ways that are not representative of their authentic self.

This understanding is essential in examining the complexities of personal identity and mental health, as it highlights how individuals navigate societal roles and expectations while grappling with their inherent sense of self. The distinction between the true and false self allows for a deeper exploration of psychological well-being, as it emphasizes the importance of nurturing one's true self for a fulfilling life.

While others mentioned, like Freud and Rogers, contributed significantly to the understanding of self and identity, their frameworks do not specifically address the duality of true and false selves as articulated by Winnicott. Freud focused more on the conflicts within the psyche, while Rogers centered on the concept of self-actualization within the context of unconditional positive regard. Erikson, conversely, concentrated on