Motivation and emotion/Book/2024/Multiple selves theory, motivation, and emotion

Multiple selves theory, motivation, and emotion:
How does the concept of multiple selves impact our motivational and emotional experiences?

Multimedia presentation (3 min)

Overview

Scenario Figure 1. Many selves Gus: “Fred, I feel so torn. I want to do well on this exam, but I also want to spend time with my family and friends. It’s like I’m being pulled in two different directions.” Fred: “Sounds like you’re dealing with your multiple selves. Your ‘academic self’ wants to focus on studying, while your ‘social self’ wants to enjoy time with family and friends.” Gus: “Exactly. It’s making me feel stressed and affecting my motivation.” Fred: “Maybe you can find a way to balance both. Set specific study times and also schedule breaks to spend with family and friends. That way, both your academic and social selves can be satisfied.” Gus: “That’s a good idea. I’ll try that. Thanks, Fred!” (OpenAI, 2024) Follow the Motivation and emotion/Assessment/Using generative AI guidelines

• Define 'motivation' - highlight that motivation is found across all disciplines of psychology.
• Define 'emotions'.
• Define 'the self' - link to self-schemas book chapter (2021)
• Link to figure in text - (see Figure 1).

• Describe how there are multiple versions of the multiple self theory.
• Looking at the benefits and challenges of having a multiple self.
• Explore how the multiple self impacts our motivation and emotions.

Focus questions: What is the history of 'multiple selves theory'? What are the benefits and challenges of having a multiple self? How are our motivational and emotional experiences impacted?

What is the history of 'multiple selves theory'?

• Psychologists believed human behaviour was determined by stimuli in the environment, e.g. Skinner's learning theory (Lester, 2012)
• First believed we had a single 'self', theorists argued (Lester, 2012)
• The idea of a 'multiple self' first theorised by Angyal (1965), which lead to many versions of the 'multiple selves theory' (Lester, 2012) - make clear not ALL versions are here, only some that can link to motivation/emotion

Angyal (1965) - subsystems

• Andras Angyal (1965) was the first to theorise that the mind was made up of a multiplicity of selves (Lester, 2012)
• Mind made up of 'subsystems' which interact (Angyal, 1965)
• One after another subsystem takes control of the mind, which can cause conflict, resulting in pressure and intrusion (Angyal, 1965)

Rowan (1990) - subpersonalities

• John Rowan (1990) developed the term 'subpersonalities' (Lester, 2012)
• We all have a number of personalities that are expressed at different times, depending on the situation (Rowan, 1990)
• Understanding and recognising the different personalities can help us understand ourselves better (Rowan, 1990)

Carter (2008) - major and minor selves

• Rita Carter (2008) describes 'multiple selves' as 'major' and 'minor' selves, and some fragmentary 'micros' (Lester, 2012)
• The major is what we call 'our self', it has thoughts/desires/intentions/emotions/beliefs (Carter, 2008)
• Minors come out in particular situations (Carter, 2008) - link to Rowan, had similar thinking

Mendlovic (2008) - self-appearances and multiple self-s

• Shlomo Mendlovic (2008) believes we have self-appearances or 'multiple self-s' (Lester, 2012)
• Each version of the self includes cognitive elements, including feelings/drives/values/behaviours (Lester, 2012)
• Different versions of 'the self' need to establish reciprocal relationships, organisation of 'the selves' is critical (Lester, 2012)

(Original article written in Italian, translated for Lester)

Lester (2010) - subselves / multiple selves

• David Lester (2010) believes we have multiple selves in our mind, as a complex arrangement of psychological contents (Lester, 2010)
• Proposes that different subselves can have executive power at different points in time (Lester, 2010)
• Doesn't have strict organisational concept such as Mendlovic (Lester, 2012)

Quiz

True or false quiz about 'multiple selves theory'.

1 Carter believed the 'major self' was what we call our 'self':

	True
	False

2 Angyal was the first to describe the mind as a 'multiplicity of selves':

	True
	False

What are the benefits and challenges of having a multiple self?

• Link to above theories (e.g. Angyal (1965) subsystems causing conflict)
• Introduce research below written as a case study/scenario - re-write as engaging case study.

Case study Case study on student's community of self, where students experience tension between dominant voices and voices of resistance (Dzinovic, 2020)

Benefits: TBD

Challenges:

• Inconsistency in behaviour depending on the situation, depending which part of the personality is dominant at the time (Dzinovic, 2020)

• Experience of internal conflicts, can lead to stress or anxiety (Dzinovic, 2020)

Add another study?

How are our motivational and emotional experiences impacted?

• Link to above theories (e.g. Carter (2008) major self has emotions and beliefs)
• Introduce study below - re-write as engaging scenario.

Scenario (experiment) Study on researchers conducting interviews with individuals who identify as having multiple selves, some individuals seemed to have detached the self from other possible selves (Ribary et al., 2017)

• Risk of depersonalisation (Dissociative Disorders), possibility of 'alters' having full control, impact of everyday functioning - motivation (Ribary et al., 2017)

• Alternative selves could be a coping mechanism for past trauma or daily stress - emotion (Ribary et al., 2017)

Another study?

Can I link this to intrinsic or extrinsic motivation? ****

Conclusion

• Answer to the sub-title question
• Answers to the focus questions
• Take-home message: Overall, the concept of having a multiple self impacts our motivational and emotional experiences through various benefits and challenges.

See also

• Multiple selves theory, motivation, and emotion (Book chapter, 2023)
• Self (Wikipedia)
• Self-schemas and motivation (Book chapter, 2021)

References

Angyal, A. (1965). Neurosis and treatment. Wiley.

Carter, R. (2008). Multiplicity: The new science of personality, identity, and the self. Little Brown.

Dzinovic, V. (2020). The multiple self: Between sociality and dominance. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 35(1), 199-217. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720537.2020.1805063

Lester, D. (2010). A multiple self theory of personality. Nova Science.

Lester, D. (2012). A multiple self theory of the mind. Comprehensive Psychology, 1, 2165-2228. https://doi.org/10.2466/02.09.28.CP.1.5

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model]. OpenAI. https://www.bing.com/chat?q=Bing%20AI&qs=ds&form=NTPCHB

Ribary, G., Lajtai, L., Demetrovics, Z., & Maraz, A. (2017). Multiplicity: An explorative interview study on personal experiences of people with multiple selves. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00938

Rowan, J. (1990). Subpersonalities: The people inside us. Taylor & Frances/Routledge.

External links

• 'Multiple selves' definition - APA Dictionary of Psychology
• “The self” doesn’t exist. Instead, you constantly shape multiple selves - Brian Lowery