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

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.

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.

About the Author :
Hubert J. M. Hermans studied psychology at the University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands. His dissertation (1967) was on motivation and achievement and resulted in two psychological tests: the Achievement Motivation Test for Adults and the Achievement Motivation Test for Children. In 1973 he became Associate Professor of Psychology, and in 1980 Full Professor, at the University of Nijmegen. As a reaction to the static and impersonal nature of psychological tests, he developed the Self-Confrontation Method. Application of this method in practice led to the establishment of the Dutch Association for SCM Consultants which counted 300 members in 2010. In the 1990s, he developed Dialogical Self Theory (DST), inspired by the American pragmatism of William James and the dialogical school of the Russian literary scholar Mikhail Bakhtin. Since 2002 he has been president of the International Society for Dialogical Science (ISDS) and since 2006 editor-in-chief of the International Journal for Dialogical Science (IJDS). He is the initiator of the biennial International Conferences on the Dialogical Self and his theories and methods are applied worldwide. He is co-author of the Handbook of Dialogical Self Theory (2011). Nine special issues of scientific psychological journals are devoted to his work. 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.

Review :
Review of the hardback: '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 Review of the hardback: '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 Review of the hardback: '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 Review of the hardback: '… Hermans and Hermans-Konopka [present] an impressive and wide-ranging elaboration of Dialogical Self Theory - an approach which conceptualizes the self as extended in both space and time. … the most ambitious and audacious attempt at a further theoretical elaboration. … deserving of close attention by anyone interested in contemporary studies of self and identity. The book's strengths are in the breadth of its vision and its innovative synthesis of topics from across the social sciences around the theme of dialogue in an extended self.' Theory and Psychology Review of the hardback: 'This book does not directly belong to any particular field of research … the role of analysis is to connect different large-scale societal processes typical to globalization to psychological and social psychological studies on dialogical relationships. [This] book provides a highly original contribution to the understanding of these societal and psychological processes. Although, it is quite difficult to say how we should continue the analysis sociologically about different questions typical to the global world. Hermans and Hermans-Konopka's study is written with excellent style and the analysis proceeds logically from one question into the next. This conceptual clarity helps the reader to follow the main ideas of the book.' Qualitative Sociology Review 'One of the strongest features of the book and what makes it particularly accessible to readers is, undoubtedly, its many examples and even personal vignettes used to illustrate the theoretical concepts. Personal experiences and case studies from the writers' own work are interwoven skilfully throughout the book. At a time when the social sciences still experience the dichotomy between the individual and the internal, on the one hand, and the social and external on the other, Dialogical Self Theory should be especially welcomed.' Gergana Vitanova, Language and Dialogue