Investigation of the Symbolic Self Using the Concentric Circles Method and Animal Metaphor

Abstract

An exploratory investigation having persons conceptualize themselves as a series of concentric circles (each circle representing a layer of personality) was used to investigate the self concept. Measurements of the diameters of the outer and inner self could be done with high reliability. Further, the use of the animal as a metaphor to symbolize further the various layers of the self was explored and appears satisfactory for further research. Some speculations as to the direction of future research with this method and the animal metaphor technique were discussed.