Protocentrism will prevail: A reply to Krueger (2003), Mussweiler (2003), and Sedikides (2003).

Abstract

In this article, the author replies to 3 commentaries relating to the egocentrism versus protocentrism debate and the self-as-distinct model (R. Karniol, 2003). Given space limitations, the author does not directly respond to the alternative frameworks her colleagues have proposed and focuses instead on 6 issues that are interwoven in the commentaries on her article: the appropriate framework within which a model of self-representation should be grounded, the distinction between representational and motivational models, the default representation in social cognition, the representation of self as distinctive, empirical issues relevant to settling the egocentrism versus protocentrism debate, and finally, the ubiquity of protocentrism. The author concludes that protocentrism will prevail.