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.
Keywords
Concept formation; Metacognition; Self report