Possible Selves across the Life Span

Possible selves have been defined as personalized representations of one’s self in future states. In a study described in this article, respondents between the ages of 18 and 86 years were asked to describe their hoped-for and feared possible selves. Differences were found across age groups in the categories of possible selves mentioned most frequently and in respondents’ evaluations of these possible selves. Moreover, respondents scoring low in life satisfaction generated different possible selves than those high in life satisfaction. Possible selves are conceptualized as psychological resources that are instrumental in motivating and defending the self in the course of adult development.