The Dialogical Self as a Society of Mind

The effects of intergroup dialogues on intercultural relations in digital societies and the growing conflict, inflammatory and hate speech phenomena characterizing these environments are receiving increasing attention in socio-psychological studies. Based on Allport’s contact theory, scholars have shown that online intercultural contact reduces ethnic prejudice and discrimination, although it is not yet clear when and how this occurs. By analyzing the role of the Dialogical Self in online intercultural dialogues, we aim to understand how individuals position themselves and others at three levels of inclusiveness—personal, social, and human—and how this process is associated with attitudes towards the interlocutor, intergroup bias and prejudice, whilst also considering the inclusion of the Other in the Self and ethnic/racial identity. An experimental procedure was administered via the Qualtrics platform, and data were collected among 118 undergraduate Italian students through an anonymous questionnaire. From ANOVA and moderation analysis, it emerged that the social level of inclusiveness was positively associated with ethnic/racial identity and intergroup bias. Furthermore, the human level of inclusiveness was associated with the inclusion of the Other in the Self and ethnic/racial identity, and unexpectedly, also with intergroup bias. We conclude that when people interact online as “human beings”, the positive effect of online dialogue fails, hindering the differentiation processes necessary to define one’s own and the interlocutor’s identities. We discuss the effects of intercultural dialogue in the landscape of digital societies and the relevance of our findings for theory, research and practice.

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Threaded Identity in Cyberspace: Weblogs & Positioning in the Dialogical Self

Identity ◽

10.1207/s1532706xid0404_2 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 321-335 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Vincent W. Hevern

Keyword(s):

Dialogical Self

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The Dialogical Self in Psychoanalysis

The Psychoanalytic Quarterly ◽

10.1002/psaq.12111 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 85 (4) ◽

pp. 929-961 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Felipe Muller

Keyword(s):

Dialogical Self

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Making dialogue with an existential voice in transition from military to civilian life

Theory & Psychology ◽

10.1177/0959354317739164 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (6) ◽

pp. 832-850 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Jan Grimell

Keyword(s):

Military Personnel ◽

Military Service ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Meaning Making ◽

Identity Work ◽

Civilian Life ◽

Self Identity ◽

Dialogical Self ◽

Dialogical Self Theory

Dialogical Self Theory has contributed to the endeavors to map and grid self-identity work in transition from military to civilian life throughout an empirical and longitudinal research project which focuses on existential dimensions. This article is based on a case study from this project and centers upon Sergeant Jonas, who, upon his return from deployment in Afghanistan, struggled with his transition as a new existential position was vocalized throughout the following annual interviews. This voice narrated feelings of meaninglessness, emptiness, and of having been deceived. In turn, this existential voice required an answer to a question which apparently had no answer. The meaning-making eventually evolved into an acceptance which enabled Jonas to proceed with his life. Dialogical processes between positions are important in order to go on with life amid existential concerns in the aftermath of military service since dialogicality of the self opens up a complex of dynamics of meaning-making processes, negotiations, and transformations. Based on the findings, it is suggested that the Personal Position Repertoire could potentially be strengthened by the addition of an internal existential position to its standard repertoire, at least when working with military personnel and/or veterans.

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