The distinction proposed here between the ideal self and the ought self is reflected in various distinctions suggested in the literature (e.g., Colby, 1968; James, 1890/1948; Piers & Singer, 1971; Rogers, 1961; Schafer, 1967). In an extensive discussion of the difference between moral conscience and personal ideals, Schafer (1967) cogently argued that "ideals and superego morality have been confined together when each should long ago have had a place of its own" (p. 131). A classic literary example of the difference between the ideal self and the ought self is the conflict between a hero's "personal wishes" and his or her "sense of duty." A current real-world example is the conflict some women have between their own wishes to be successful professionals and some other persons' beliefs that they ought to be housewives and mothers. There are three basic domains of the self: (a) the actual self, which is your representation of the attributes that someone (yourself or another) believes you actually possess; (b) the ideal self, which is your representation of the attributes that someone (yourself or another) would like you, ideally, to possess (i.e., a representation of someone's hopes, aspirations, or wishes for you); and (c) the ought self, which is your representation of the attributes that someone (yourself or another) believes you should or ought to possess (i.e., a representation of someone's sense of your duty, obligations, or responsibilities). The distinction proposed here between the ideal self and the ought self is reflected in various distinctions suggested in the literature (e.g., Colby, 1968; James, 1890/1948; Piers & Singer, 1971; Rogers, 1961; Schafer, 1967). In an extensive discussion of the difference between moral conscience and personal ideals, Schafer (1967) cogently argued that "ideals and superego morality have been confined together when each should long ago have had a place of its own" (p. 131). A classic literary example of the difference between the ideal self and the ought self is the conflict between a hero's "personal wishes" and his or her "sense of duty." A current real-world example is the conflict some women have between their own wishes to be successful professionals and some other persons' beliefs that they ought to be housewives and mothers.
References
Higgins, E. T. 1987. “Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect.” Psychological review 94 (3): 319–40. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.94.3.319.