Citation

Dimaggio G, Hermans HJM, Lysaker PH. Theory Psychol. 2010; 20(3): 379-399.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0959354310363319

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

It has been suggested recently that the self consists of multifaceted aspects which are not reducible to a singular core or entity. It is unclear whether the degree of multiplicity that individuals with significant pathology experience is linked with health and adaptation. Both an excess and a restricted degree of activity among multiple aspects of the self have been associated with pathology. We explore the evidence that the impact of degree of multiplicity of self upon adaptation may be mediated by: (a) the capacity of the various aspects of the self to engage in a dialogue among each other—that is, to discuss, build upon, or argue with one another; and (b) metacognitive capacity, or the ability to think about one’s own thinking and the thinking of others in a nuanced way and to build an integrated view of different aspects of oneself and others. Implications for conceptualizing psychopathology and psychotherapy research are discussed.