Conceptions Relevant for «Self»

This page introduces some essential conceptions:

The place of «self» in the taxonomy introduced in the orientation to the Spiral, is further discussed in the review section.

Individualization

Constant use of a preferred approach to mental-stabilization (PH'4) can ensure survival. But our well-being and endeavours also depend on a feeling of our own distinctiveness and difference from others. In the Taxonomy, this individuality is one of the Primal Needs.

Individuality is directly based on a sense of self: which is the Primal Means. Any Primal Means can be strengthened over time by deliberate effort.

«Individualization» is the process of strengthening the sense of self, which will be explored in this section. Individualization reflects an increasing and consistent inner certainty and unshakeable conviction about your inner state.

Never Forget:Closed  Throughout this section it is easy to get confused between strength of «(sense of) self» and strength of «(total) personal functioning». A person may function extremely well within a particular arena without any implications for their self state.

Individuality with its associated sense of self can and does alter throughout life. It forms the context for inner stability despite outer turmoil. In this way, it helps to ensure effective functioning and to protect against exploitation by others.

Individuality, being an absolute need, manifests whatever the degree of strength of your sense of self. The determinants of individuality (PH'4CK) will be investigated in the next section.

Presence

Presence results from being in touch with our inner experiences at any moment in time. It flows from deliberate mindfulness. How presence manifests in practice depends on the sense of self.
ClosedLocation in THEE:

The sense of self and our evolving personal identity have genetic and biological origins that are shaped in our family of origin and culture. This inner condition develops throughout life in a continuous process referred to as individuation, which is not to be confused with individualization—read more.

We are buffeted when we go out into the wider world and interact. Others have their own interests and values and wish to co-opt us into serving those. If we allow this to occur blindly and compliantly, we will likely neglect our own interests and suffer. Others are liable to take advantage of such pliability.

Maintaining a motivated presence is essential to manage these pressures. Presence is therefore sustained and controlled via the sense of self and individuality. No-one can do this for me or even help me. We must each manage our own presence.

The Spiral Framework to be presented is a guide to strengthening the self through different systems for individualizing. If you understand the nature and logic of the Spiral sequence, you will have a better grasp of a class of life experiences. You may also come to understand others who may be struggling or suffering.

Maturation

Strengthening the sense of self is often presented and experienced as a form of inner maturation. There are however many aspects of personal functioning that need to undergo maturation. So «personal maturation» is not a suitable synonym or alternate name for the PH'4C-Spiral.

Maturation of any sort has its own rhythm and cannot usually be rushed or forced. In the present case, as long as we remain in touch with our own feelings, interests and capabilities, we will progress around the Spiral as far as we need for our own satisfaction.

Like most maturation, there are discontinuities during growth. For something as central as the sense of self, change may feel risky and confusing or unpleasant. It is certainly hard work. Unlike many maturational processes, with strengthening the self you may have to start over from the beginning e.g. when migrating to a new culture.

Self-Actualization

Abraham Maslow popularized the notion of "self-actualization" in his theory of motivation. He regarded it as a tendency for a person to realize personal potentials. In this regard, it is at least similar, if not identical, to self-actualization as referred to here.

In Maslow's theory, self-actualization could not come into play unless lower order, “deficiency-based” needs like survival, safety, belonging-love, and self-esteem were met. This strongly suggests the distinction to be identified here between Cycle-1 v Cycle-2.

Maslow emphasized phenomena suggestive of Cycle 2. For example: •«peak experiences»–occasions of ecstasy, harmony and the experience of ultimate values (i.e. transpersonal mode), •having a few close intimate friends rather than many superficial contacts (i.e. relational mode), •task-centered, self-reliant resourceful attitudes (i.e. vital mode).

The present framework is not about motivation, nor does it propose a hierarchy of needs. The hierarchy here relates just to the sense of self and one particular ineradicable need: the need for individuality. Basic motivations and other personal needs come into play for us all, regardless of the strength of our self.

Freud talked about the "ich" which is german for "I". However, Strachey translated this word as "ego". It referred to the mental apparatus that had to negotiate reality, internal and external. The ego was under pressure from instincts (the "id") and internalized prohibitions and idealizations (the "superego/ego ideal"). So "ego" and sense of self are not synonyms.

Following Freud, many psychoanalysts found themselves concerned with personal functioning and the requirements of self-development, personal identity and self-esteem. Jung regarded «the Self» as one of the archetypes and the centre of the total personality. Erikson provided a full schema of individuation from infancy through to old age. Many others dealt with "the self" informally rather than conceptually.

"Self" became established as a psychoanalytic concept with the emergence of object-relations theory. There had to be an inner counterpart to representations of external persons (termed "objects"). Melanie Klein and Donald Winnicott created theories around «the self» building on assumptions of emotional-L'3 and individual-L'4 stabilization methods respectively. Kohut was a notable US contributor to the conceptualization of the self and narcissistic disorders.

ClosedOther Disciplines

Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology and related social sciences all have schools and theories that attempt to come to grips in some fashion with the notion of a self.

Philosophers have generally been comfortable that the self was a useful concept to refer to a person's sense of uniqueness and particular subjective experiences. The self is also posited as the source of agency and responsibility.

Neuroscience has encouraged many to regard the self as an illusion, and that became part of pop psychology in the early 21st Century.

However, not all neuroscientists would agree. Jaak Panksepp, whose research into neural circuits mediating emotion shows significant alignment with the Taxonomy, has suggested the presence of an integrative SELF circuit, based in the brainstem.

Originally drafted:  4-Jan-2016. Last amended: 20-Jun-2016.