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Dialogical Self Theory

Dialogical Self Theory provides a comprehensive social-scientific ­theory that incorporates the deep implications of the process of globalization, and its impact on individual development. Hubert Hermans and Agnieszka Hermans-Konopka present a new and compelling view of the historical changes in perceptions of social realities, and how these changes affected motivation, emotion, leadership, and conflict resolution. They detail the improvement of dialogical relationships both within the self and between individuals, groups, and cultures, providing evidence from everyday life. The book addresses a variety of problem areas that are analysed in new and unexpected ways: the pros and cons of traditional, modern, and post-modern models of self, the role of emotions, power and dominance, motivation, leadership, and conflict resolution. This book will be of interest to scholars in a wide range of fields including psychology and sociology.

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.

Hubert J. M. Hermans and Agnieszka Hermans-Konopka

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© Hubert Hermans and Agnieszka Hermans-Konopka 2010

This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press.

First published 2010

Printed in the United Kingdom at the University Press, Cambridge

A catalog record for this publication is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication data

Hermans, H. J. M.
Dialogical self theory : positioning and counter-positioning in a globalizing
society / Hubert J.M. Hermans, Agnieszka Hermans-Konopka.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-521-76526-8
1. Self. 2. Identity (Psychology) 3. Globalization.
I. Hermans-Konopka, Agnieszka, 1978– II. Title.
BF697.H438 2010
302.5–dc22 2010000058

ISBN 978-0-521-76526-8 Hardback

Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

To our parents and grandparents who meet each other in us

Education is a kind of continuing dialogue, and a dialogue assumes different points of view

Robert M. Hutchins

Contents

Illustrations

Acknowledgments

We want to thank several people who supported us in preparing this book.

Sunil Bhatia inspected Chapter 1 and made various suggestions that clarified the cultural implications of the presented view. Frank Richardson read Chapter 2 and his comments helped us to gain more insight in the historical dimensions of self and identity. Marie-Cécile Bertau contributed to Chapter 4 and her detailed remarks led to a more thorough investigation of the linguistic elements in dialogical self theory. Jaan Valsiner has given us valuable advice during the whole project. We thank Elisabeth Thijssen for her editorial remarks and improvement of the language.