McAdams Actor Agent Author

Question 1

Memory stores

Answer 1

Semantic; Trait mased information

Episodic; autobiographical memory

Studies found info from episodic memory is not necessary to recall traits (semantic)

Question 2

The self’s contents in what the “I” sees for the three layers

Answer 2

Actor: Social roles, skills, traits, social reputation

Agent: Personal goals, plans, values, hopes and fears

Author: Life narrative

Question 3

Mechanisms of self-definition

Answer 3

Actor: Self-attribution and categorization, built on observation of social performance

Agent: Exploration of and commitment to life projects, planning, prioritizing investments

Author: Autobiographical reasoning, construction of an integrative life story

Question 4

Temporal emphasis and psychological problem

Answer 4

Actor: Present - self-regulation

Agent: present and furture - Self-esteem

Author: past, present and future - self-continuity

Question 5

Developmental emergence

Answer 5

Actor: age 2-3 /early adult

Agent: age 7-9 / mid to late childhood

Author: age 15-25 / adolescence and emerging adulthood

Question 6

Culture provides

Answer 6

Actor: Performance norms, display rules, behavioural constraints

Agent: Scripts for goal content, timing and goal persuit. Motivational constraint

Author: A menu of images, metaphors and stories of life. narrative constraints