The Dialogical Self: Meaning as Movement

by Hubert J.M. Hermans

Contemporary research in personality, social psychology, and sociology has renewed an interest in the "self." This volume argues that the "self" may consist of multiple "selves" any of which may interact with each other in a dialogical fashion. The "self" is presented as a non-unitary embodiment that transcends the limits of individualism and rationalism. Beginning with a philosophic discussion of the "self," this volume discusses the decentralization of the "self" in narrative psychology, the retreat of the omniscient narrator in literary sciences, the genesis of self-knowledge in children, and the concept of modern society as a multiplicity of collective voices.

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 1993

About the author

Hubert Hermans is one of the main theorists in narrative psychology. During his career he has developed several influential methods and theories. One of them is the Self Confrontation Method (SCM) that has led to the establishment of the Association for SCM practitioners that has around 200 members in 2020. Another is the Dialogical Self Theory that has led to the organization of biennial international conferences, the establishment of the International Society for Dialogical Science.