Self-esteem and the demoralized self: A genealogy of self research and measurement

This chapter presents a genealogical study of the self to discover the reasons for the failure of "self" and "self-concept" as an empirical target, taking the point of departure to be current self research. In discussing the evolution of Michel Foucault's historiography, H. Dreyfus and P. Rabinow (1983) differentiate between an "archeology," which is more or less direct historical analysis of discourse and praxis, and a "genealogy," which emphasizes the conditions that limit, enable, or otherwise alter the context under which a particular discourse is made possible. In this chapter, a geneaology is conducted by reviewing the self literature. It's current uses, meanings, and practices are offered and its is concluded that the concept of self raises issues that one cannot simply ignore, as behaviorism had ignored mental states, nor is an answer to be found in transforming or reframing the self into behavioral operational definitions o self-concept or self esteem. It is recommended that further research be conducted in this area of study. (from the chapter)