An Analysis Of The Self-Expansion Theory And Relationships

The self-expansion model suggests that we all have a drive to seek out new opportunities and become ‘better’ people from acquiring new perspectives, resources, and identities (Mattingly, Lewandowski Jr., 2013). Individuals undergo self-expansion through novel, challenging, and exciting activities with their partner, or in this case, their roommate (Aron, Lewandowski, Mashek, Aron, 2013). Relationships enter into the equation because we are often guided to new experiences and ways of thinking through engagement with other people who introduce us and participate with us in activities and conversations we may not have otherwise tried. For example, since freshman in college tend to bond quicker with their roommates, this might be the person you engage in the most activities with before you are able to branch out and meet other people. The synergy suggested here shows that when relationships are mutually beneficial, each participant grows. This in turn improves satisfaction in the

Self-concept can be described as “who we are” in our own mind’s eye. It is the broadest recognition of self, deriving from all the knowledge and information we have about ourselves. It refers to what we “know” about ourselves; our strengths, weakness, attributes and qualities. These can be emotional, physical, psychological, intellectual, to name a few. It is the sum total of all the knowledge we have about ourselves innately as well as from the responses others have to us (Aron, Paris, Aron, 1995). Thus relationships in which we experience new activities, thoughts and beliefs and where we receive feedback can broaden our self-concept. People who have the ability to broaden their self-concept tend to have greater self-esteem and can resolve problems more easily (Aron et al.,