The development of the self and the process of hiper-individualization: inquiries to the Dialogical Psychology

Abstract

In Psychology the dialogical perspective is associated with various theories of self, in special, the Dialogical Self Theory (DST). Although important theoretical and methodological advances have been achieved by DST concerning our comprehension of the dynamic organization of the structure of the self in micro-genetic (temporal) processes, this perspective is in need of theories that explore in depth the development of the self including multiple temporal levels of organization and their mutual relationships. This paper aims to explore the triadic epistemological basis of the dialogical perspective in psychology, i.e., the cultural-semiotic basis, the phenomenology, and constructionism. Then, a case study concerning developmental transitions of an adolescent will be presented. We will analyze the semiotic complexes of gender, race and religion, as well as their role in the personal changes lived by him, in terms of the temporal organization of the self.