Abstract
Systemic organisation and structural dynamics of self-construction are considered in this chapter. Firstly, atomistic, essentialised and static representations of the self by mainstream psychological schools of thought are critically considered. Subsequently, the self is represented as a dialogical and developmental phenomenon that consists of socioculturally coordinated positions and functions through dialectic relating to its environment. I-positions and self-structure, in general, are constructed through idiosyncratic interpretation of socioculturally constructed experiences and positions and is built at the crossroads of individual and social positioning. Dynamic stability of the self-structure is ensured by the hierarchical organisation of I-positions and social representations. The self is considered as an intentional creature that is being continuously constructed through three temporal dimensions – past<>present<>future. Finally, the self is viewed as a dynamic phenomenon that is in a continuous process of becoming.
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Notes
- 1.
Interestingly, William James’s split “self” into several components. James divided the self into I-subject, the reflective observer and the me-object observed by the former. He distinguished three sorts of “me” – biological (bodily and material substance), social (various social groups’ opinions on the “me”) and spiritual (moral and normative system of “me”). Interestingly, various forms of “social me-s” might be constructed depending on the situational and contextual variability. James thought that “I” was responsible for the continuity of the identity of the self (James, 1890). He actually briefly recognised the possibility of changes in the self; however, the question of dynamics of a person remained not very well elaborated in his theory. Besides, “I-s” relation to those opinions which are external was left unattended.
- 2.
Not to confuse with cognitive anthropology.
- 3.
However, certain group of cultural anthropologists proposed to get rid of the term “culture” as they consider it instrument of oppression; however, that direction of thinking is not dominant and does not have much relevance for our discussion as we are interested in symbolic system’s role in self-construction despite its denomination, so I will restrain myself from its further discussion due to the lack of space of this book.
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Gamsakhurdia, V.L. (2022). Considering the Systemic and Culturally Sensitive Model of the Self-Structure. In: A Theory of Proculturation. SpringerBriefs in Psychology(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06301-5_2
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