False-Self

False-self, a concept developed by Donald Winnicott, is the compliant, superficial identity that a person develops to protect the true self (the authentic, spontaneous, and core part of a person’s identity), particularly when the true self feels vulnerable or threatened. According to Winnicott, it arises from a failure of the environment, where the caregiver’s needs are prioritized over the infant’s spontaneous gestures and needs. This results in the child trying to fit into others’ expectations — often leading to a feeling of being fake.