Self-assertion in Context
There is no framework within THEE for self-assertion. The taxonomy is about personal functioning and that means the self is functioning more or less assertively throughout—unless deliberately disconnected. This topic brings to the fore some of the most obvious places where self-assertion is manifest in the taxonomy.
Self-Assertion & the Prosperity Arena
absolutely depends on self-conscious self-assertion as explained in the groupings and developed further in the unfolding duality.
As explained here, the «looking out for yourself» framework was developed from discovery of the mentalities. These are value systems that govern personal functioning for a very specific goal: getting benefit. Like all , these mentalities do not require self-conscious self-assertion because they are components of personal identity. That means they are spontaneously used, promoted and asserted as correct and proper—and may be depersonalized as philosophies. To an outsider, their use will look like self-assertion.
Self-assertion drives Taxonomic Structures
Dynamic Duality
Because our self comes into play in all activities, self-assertion comes into play in the Tree patterns, often without much reflection. In one pole, self-assertion simply wins the day. In the other pole, the socio-physical environment is dominant. For the Centres which are fused, self-assertion fuses with external forces to produce a synthesized result.
Spirals of Growth
Progression around a spiral of growth trajectory moves you from functioning in a minimal basic way to functioning in the maximum sophisticated way. That progression is typically driven by several pressures, one of which is invariably a form of self-assertion.
Emergent Hierarchies & Psychosocial Pressures
Forcing the reversal of oscillating dualities in the Primary Hierarchies led to the discovery of emergent hierarchies. These hierarchies deal with life challenges that are not being met which leads to crises which require special self-assertive efforts. In these cases, self-assertion is about deliberately cumulating and maximizing the force of each of the psychosocial pressures.
In these Tree structures, the usual domination by socio-environmental factors over self-based pressures at KL5 and KL6 is reversed. Correspondingly, social factors are dominant at KL3 rather than self-driven choices.
All Trees can potentially have this reversal when the focus shifts from functioning in a requisite (or objective) fashion to functioning from the perspective of self-interest and personal preference.
The psychosocial pressures are postulated to be advanced instinctual drives that correspond to the Root Levels. So self-assertion may present in the guise of any one of those pressures.
Self-assertion in the Experience Domain (RL4/PH4)
It is natural that self-assertion has a prominent place in the , because that is where the self is to be found. In the structural hierarchy, it has been provisionally proposed that the triads generate the self leading to 5 versions: body self, self-image, reflective self, public persona and higher self.
The domain provides for 7 stabilization methods () which are crucial for our day-to-day sense of mental balance. In analysing the TET, it emerged that one pole of the approach duality (i.e. sets lying along the diagonals) depends on self-assertion.
Self-assertion is closely associated with , a value system that is one of the . However, it is more commonly viewed as an which lies in the .
In the spiral for strengthening the sense of self, each Stage represents an act of self-assertion to deal with some gap or need that is experienced.
Finally, there are the individualizing arenas, all of which naturally depend on the use of self-assertiion.
Self-assertion & the Better Self
Perhaps paradoxically, self-assertion comes into play when developing one's better self. This becomes obvious in many places.
The Primal Quests that govern one's life push for expression, often against forces of convention and seeming practicality. However, it is noticeable that this push is weak and often shows up in the second half of life when the more basic pursuits of career and family have been more or less satisfied. Even when the self is damaged, the Quests provide a way out.
In relation to the production of goodness, it is natural that there has to be an inner determination. Functions like finding strength, overcoming pain, building character call for self-assertion. In the related Tree, «affirming goodness» is the dominant odd-numbered pole, but «affirming your self» is other pole of the oscillating duality.
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Originally posted: 10-July-2025. Last amended: 10-Oct-2025.
