Dialogical Self Theory: Positioning and Counter-Positioning in a Globalizing Society

Dialogical Self Theory provides a comprehensive social-scientific theory that incorporates the deep implications of the process of globalization, and its impact on individual development. Hubert Hermans and Agnieszka Hermans-Konopka present a new and compelling view of the historical changes in perceptions of social realities, and how these changes affected motivation, emotion, leadership, and conflict resolution. They detail the improvement of dialogical relationships both within the self and between individuals, groups, and cultures, providing evidence from everyday life. The book addresses a variety of problem areas that are analysed in new and unexpected ways: the pros and cons of traditional, modern, and post-modern models of self, the role of emotions, power and dominance, motivation, leadership, and conflict resolution. This book will be of interest to scholars in a wide range of fields including psychology and sociology.

Hubert Hermans is Emeritus Professor at the Radboud University of Nijmegen. His previous publications include The Dialogical Self: Meaning in Movement (1993) Self-Narratives: The Construction of Meaning in Psychotherapy (1995), and he was the co-editor of The Dialogical Self in Psychotherapy (2004)
Agnieszka Hermans-Konopka is a scientist and practitioner in an independent practice near Nijmegen. Along with Hubert Hermans, she coaches individual clients and provides workshops and training on emotional coaching.