The Role of Hypo-egoic Self-Processes in Optimal Functioning and Subjective Well-Being

Many phenomena of interest to positive psychology share a common feature that involves a particular pattern of self-relevant cognitive activity. This hypo-egoic state is responsible both for the sense of well-being that tends to accompany many positive psychological experiences (such as flow, meditation, and transcendence) and for prosocial beliefs and actions in which people behave in ways that benefit other people, sometimes at cost to themselves. The chapter describes the hypo-egoic state and then discusses the role of self-process in five phenomena: humility, positive emotions, other-oriented states (such as compassion, altruism, and love), wisdom, and transcendence.

Duke Scholars

Author Mark R. Leary Psychology & Neuroscience