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The Authentic Self vs. The Public Persona

The Authentic Self vs. The Public Persona: Implications for Mental Well-being

This note elaborates on the critical psychological concept introduced in the transcript fragment, which highlights the distinction between one's internal self and the external persona presented to the world. The core idea is that the disparity between these 'two people' can significantly impact mental health.

1. Defining the 'Two People'
  • The Authentic Self (True Self/Private Self): This refers to the core of an individual's being—their genuine thoughts, feelings, values, beliefs, needs, and desires. It encompasses who a person truly is when unburdened by external expectations or social pressures. It's the self-experienced internally, often requiring introspection to understand.
  • The Public Persona (Social Self/Presented Self): This is the image, role, or identity an individual projects outwards to the world. It is often consciously or unconsciously molded to fit social norms, professional expectations, perceived audience preferences, or to achieve specific social outcomes. It's the self adapted for public consumption.
2. The Significance of 'Distance' or Incongruence

The transcript notes, "The further the distance between these two people, the more chance there is that a mental…" This 'distance' refers to incongruence—a mismatch or disparity between the authentic self and the public persona. High incongruence implies that an individual is consistently presenting a version of themselves that feels untrue or inauthentic to their inner experience. This can manifest in several ways:

  • Cognitive Dissonance: The mental discomfort experienced when holding contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes, or when one's actions contradict one's beliefs. Constantly acting contrary to one's true self creates this dissonance.
  • Emotional Labor: The process of managing one's emotions and expressions to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job or social role. When this requires suppressing true feelings for extended periods, it leads to significant psychological strain.
3. Psychological and Mental Health Implications

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