The Autoreflexive Self: A Theory of Dynamic Self-Perception and Affective-Cognitive Optimization

The article proposes a detailed, interdisciplinary theory for the Autoreflexive Self, presenting selfhood not as a static identity but as a dynamic, continuous feedback loop that integrates moment-to-moment experience with core psychological, affective, and neurobiological processes.

This model asserts that the "Self" is fundamentally an autonomous, continuously updated perception that drives behavior, which is then evaluated by an internal reward system, thus forming a perpetual cycle of optimization and self-correction. The ultimate goal of this system is to maximize coherence and minimize prediction error.

I. Defining the Self as a Predictive Prior

The foundation of the theory is the concept of the Self as an Autonomous Perceptual Self—an emergent, inferred construct.

The Self as an Inferential Mechanism

• Self-Perception Theory (SPT): The theory aligns with Daryl Bem’s SPT, which posits that individuals infer their internal states (attitudes, preferences, emotions) by observing their own overt behavior in the same way they observe others.¹ The sequence is defined as . This means behavior often precedes and determines the self-perception of an attitude, rather than the attitude solely driving the behavior.²

• Predictive Processing (PP): From a neurobiological perspective, the Self is conceptualized as the brain's internal, self-referential generative model operating within a Predictive Processing hierarchy.³ The brain is constantly inferring the cause of sensory data, and the Self is the part of this model dedicated to inferring the organism's own state, continuously striving to minimize prediction error between its model and incoming sensory data.

• The Sociometer: This internal model is externally calibrated by social feedback. Self-esteem functions as an inferential sociometer, a mechanism that tracks the individual’s perceived standing and worth within a social group by filtering external expectations and feedback.⁴ This constant integration of information "mirrored back" by peers ensures the Self remains dynamically aligned with its social environment.⁵

II. The Complexity Cascade and the Unintegrated Self

The theory argues that the overwhelming complexity and incoherence of information collected about the self, particularly from the social environment, can lead to psychological fragmentation and specific pathologies.

Pathology of Incoherence

• Impostor Phenomenon (IP): IP is a "profound pathology of self-perception" where the autonomous model actively rejects positive reinforcement and success data. This rejection is exacerbated by a high Social Comparison Orientation (SCO), where constant upward comparison (to superior individuals) on social media or in life leads to chronic feelings of being a "fake" or undeserving.

• The Jungian Shadow and Persona: The conflict is explained by the Jungian concepts of the Persona (the necessary social mask) and the Shadow (the repressed, unacknowledged aspects of the Self). The vast collection of social data contributes to the Persona. When an individual over-identifies with the external Persona while simultaneously holding deep-seated beliefs of inadequacy (the Shadow), the internal contradiction manifests as a massive prediction error, which is phenomenologically experienced as the anxiety and self-doubt of the Impostor Phenomenon.

• Social Pain Network: The internal conflict and upward social comparison are not merely cognitive; they trigger activity in the Social Pain Network (specifically the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, dACC). This registers the comparison as a direct threat and a form of "social pain," providing a powerful, non-cognitive source of negative reinforcement that further complicates positive self-concepts.

III. The Affective-Cognitive Feedback Loop

The core of the theory is a refined, recursive process model detailing how internal states drive behavior and modify the self-concept: .

Component	Psychological Construct	Function in the Loop
1. Self	Self-Concept/Predictive Prior	The initial state/model driving expectations and actions.
2. Feelings	Core Affect (Raw Valence/Arousal)	The brain's immediate, non-cognitive performance metric for an action's outcome.
3. Emotions	Cognitively Attributed Core Affect	The labeled state that results when a Feeling is linked to a specific cause (e.g., anxiety or excitement).
4. Thoughts	Cognitive Appraisal/Action Planning	The stage where beliefs are challenged, and the emotional data is translated into an action plan (Target of CBT).
5. Actions	Behavioral Output	The resulting behavior that provides new outcome data, closing the loop.

The Critical Affective Distinction

The separation of "Feelings" and "Emotions" is key:

• Feelings correspond to Core Affect—the underlying, non-cognitive state defined by Valence (pleasure-displeasure) and Arousal (activation-deactivation).⁶ This is the raw physiological state.

• Emotions are constructed only when this raw Core Affect (Feeling) is cognitively attributed and labeled (e.g., attributing high arousal to "fear" or "joy"). This distinction explains how physiologically similar states (like anxiety and excitement) can result in opposite emotional outcomes, determined purely by the brain's cognitive interpretation.⁷

IV. Reinforcement Learning and the Neurological Basis

The entire autoreflexive loop is structurally and functionally a Reinforcement Learning (RL) system, where the goal is to maximize internal reward and minimize error.

The Self as an Optimization Engine

• Reinforcement Learning (RL): The continuous cycle of action, evaluation, and adjustment functions precisely as an RL system. The system's internal reward function is largely defined by one's self-esteem and perceived social standing (the Sociometer).

• Reward Mapping: The outcomes of Actions (Stage 5) are perpetually evaluated against this reward function.

• Upward Comparison (Self-Threat) triggers the Social Pain Network (dACC/Insula), providing negative reinforcement.

• Downward Comparison (Self-Enhancement) triggers the Social Reward Network (Ventral Striatum/OFC), providing positive reinforcement.

• Error Minimization: When an action outcome deviates significantly from the self-model’s expectations (a high prediction error), it triggers an affective state (Feelings/Emotions) which immediately provides the motivational impetus to engage the "Thoughts" stage to drive the next round of corrective or optimizing action.

V. The Emergent State: Anima and Affective Disposition

The culmination of the continuous recursive process is the stabilization of the self-system into a dominant, long-term state.

• The "Anima" as Core Affective Disposition: The final state, termed "anima," is best mapped onto the psychological concepts of Mood or Core Affective Disposition. This is a longer-lasting, non-attributed psychological condition resulting from the accumulation of countless loop outcomes.

• Valence, Arousal, and Interpretation: This disposition is defined by its predominant Valence (positive/negative) and Arousal (high/low). For instance, "excitement" is pleasant valence and high arousal, while "depression" is negative valence and low arousal. Crucially, the cognitive interpretation (Thoughts, Stage 4) determines the final emotional outcome; a negative mindset can convert raw high arousal into anxiety, while a positive mindset converts it into excitement.

• Psychological Inflexibility: If the system fails to effectively regulate and challenge negative thought patterns, it develops psychological inflexibility, trapping the self in a stable, maladaptive "anima" or mood, necessitating intervention.

VI. Therapeutic Implications

The model provides clear targets for therapeutic intervention:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Directly targets the Thoughts (Stage 4) stage to challenge and correct negative cognitive patterns, thereby disrupting the cascading negative loop.

• Mindfulness/Self-Regulation: Enhances awareness of thoughts and feelings, granting the individual the ability to intercede at the Action (Stage 5) selection point, choosing conscious actions over automatic emotional reactions.

• Jungian Shadow Work: Addresses the fundamental fracture of the unintegrated self by promoting the compassionate integration of rejected self-aspects. This reduces the core prediction error driving the Impostor Phenomenon, leading to a more coherent and whole Self-model.