Self-Awareness in research: From its functional constituents to investigation models

Abstract

Abstract Objective The present theoretical study aimed to describe the functionalist origins of self-awareness construct and its importance in grounding an empirical investigation agenda within psychological scientific literature. Method We first conceptually analyzed William James definitions for self-related processes and then examined its repercussion for empirical self-awareness research in personality and cognitive neuroscience literature. Results Initial challenges of the field to put forward investigations that encompassed both dispositional and situational aspects of self-awareness were found. Moreover, progress observed in different trends of self-awareness investigation, in the last 20 years, were approached in its connection to technological advances evidenced in science. Conclusion The need for more integration between different levels of evidence and research fields are discussed as a mean to build an effective full understanding of self-awareness.