ABSTRACT
Clinical and developmental theories have generally emphasized the growth of an autonomous, individuated self. Increasing self-control, a sense of self as origin of action and intention, an increasing capacity to use abstract logic, and a movement toward selfsufficiency characterize the maturation of the ideal Western self. While most theorists have struggled with the issue of reification of the self, all have to some degree succumbed to the powerful pull to de-contextualize, abstract and spatialize this concept.
