Abstract
Several authors have developed authoritative theoretical models of self-criticism (SC), each offering unique perspectives that emphasize different aspects of its phenomenology. Through a critical examination of these models, this article proposes a new cognitive framework: the
Cognitive model of self-criticism
. The primary aim is to conceptualize the judgment criteria through which individuals evaluate themselves as a central cognitive component of the self-critical process and to provide a theoretical framework for explaining the heterogeneity of SC. The model emphasizes the judgment criteria underlying self-critical evaluations, distinguishing between two types of negative evaluation: moral and nonmoral criteria. This distinction gives rise to two corresponding forms of SC: moral and nonmoral SC. Both forms are characterized by distinct judgment criteria associated with different components, including the emotional tone and attitude of the critic, emotional reactions, expectations, and the behavioral dispositions of the criticized. The model was developed through the integration and extension of previous theoretical conceptualizations, the broader psychological literature, and the cognitive tradition, with particular attention to judgment criteria and the components characterizing the two forms of SC. In addition, the model identifies three further parameters that may help distinguish adaptive from maladaptive expressions of SC: the frequency, intensity, and persistence of self-critical processes; the degree of critical distancing; and the stability vs. contingency of self-critical evaluations. This work introduces a theoretical framework designed to generate empirically testable hypotheses and guide future research on SC. Future empirical studies involving both community and clinical samples will be necessary to examine whether the proposed components reliably differentiate moral and nonmoral forms of SC and to develop a validated assessment instrument. These research directions are intended to support the empirical evaluation and progressive refinement of the model while promoting greater integration between evaluative processes and psychopathological mechanisms.