Dialogical Self Theory: Positioning and Counter-Positioning in a Globalizing Society

by Hubert Hermans, Agnieszka Hermans-Konopka

Overview

In a boundary-crossing and globalizing world, the personal and social positions in self and identity become increasingly dense, heterogeneous and even conflicting. In this handbook scholars of different disciplines, nations and cultures (East and West) bring together their views and applications of dialogical self theory in such a way that deeper commonalities are brought to the surface. As a 'bridging theory', dialogical self theory reveals unexpected links between a broad variety of phenomena, such as self and identity problems in education and psychotherapy, multicultural identities, child-rearing practices, adult development, consumer behaviour, the use of the internet and the value of silence. Researchers and practitioners present different methods of investigation, both qualitative and quantitative, and also highlight applications of dialogical self theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107411746
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/29/2012
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	404
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Hubert Hermans is Emeritus Professor at the Radboud University of Nijmegen. His previous publications include The Dialogical Self: Meaning in Movement (1993), Self-Narratives: The Construction of Meaning in Psychotherapy (1995) and he was the co-editor of The Dialogical Self in Psychotherapy (2004).

Agnieszka Hermans-Konopka is a scientist and practitioner in an independent practice near Nijmegen. Along with Hubert Hermans, she coaches individual clients and provides workshops and training on emotional coaching.

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. The impact of globalization and localization on self and identity; 2. Self and identity in historical perspective: traditional, modern, post-modern, and dialogical models; 3. Positioning theory and dialogue; 4. Positioning and dialogue in life-long development; 5. A dialogical view of emotions; 6. Practical implications for organizations, motivation, and conflict-resolution.

Editorial Reviews

"A highly original and scholarly discussion of the problems of subjectivity in the rapidly evolving global world. An evolved account of self experience is used to discuss, in a truly dialogical and interdisciplinary manner, the demands placed by contemporary world on the self and the ramifications of that for a range of social and psychological issues."
—Paul H. Lysaker, Indiana University School of Medicine

"The 'dialogical self' is among the most important and original new theories in the social sciences in the past 20 years. It is a theory for our times, addressing in complex and insightful ways the impacts that globalization has on psychological functioning. In this book, the theory is presented lucidly and thoroughly, covering an impressive range not only in psychology but sociology, economics, philosophy, and political studies. The book should be welcome in all those fields as a major contribution to the understanding of globalization."
—Jeffrey Arnett, Clark University

"By far the most accessible and comprehensive statement to date on the Dialogical Self, this volume ranges across a set of problems that bring together the practical and theoretical, the local and global, positioning theory and emotion research, in a timely and important theoretical elaboration. The scope and promise of the authors' work ensures that it will serve as a crucial reference for research and conceptual scholarship on the emerging conceptualization of the Dialogical Self."
—Henderikus J. Stam, Editor, Theory and Psychology

"...The psychology text (Hermans & Hermans-Konopka) presents an impressive and wide ranging elaboration of Dialogical Self Theory—an approach which conceptualizes the self as extended in both space and time... [strongly recommend] to social scientists who are interested in the study of the self, or the history of psychology, or both... deserving of a wide readership."
—Peter T.F. Raggatt, James Cook University, Theory & Psychology

From the Publisher