Exploring Authenticity in the Dialogical Self : A Conceptual Assemblage
(2025) In Journal of Constructivist Psychology- Abstract
In dialogical self theory (DST) authenticity has not been a central concern. The humanist notion of a static, higher-order, superordinate, ultimate, and “true” self runs counter to the ontology of DST, and the conceptualization of the dialogical self as unconsolidated, multifaceted, dynamic, and sensitive to situational change. In a climate in which the psychology of authenticity is undergoing revision—and in which the existence of a “true” “inner” self is increasingly questioned—it is these qualities that make DST highly suited to the investigation of authenticity in contemporary life. Four aspects of DST can facilitate the exploration of authenticity: (1) the function of personal positions and their role in shaping and stylizing... (More)
In dialogical self theory (DST) authenticity has not been a central concern. The humanist notion of a static, higher-order, superordinate, ultimate, and “true” self runs counter to the ontology of DST, and the conceptualization of the dialogical self as unconsolidated, multifaceted, dynamic, and sensitive to situational change. In a climate in which the psychology of authenticity is undergoing revision—and in which the existence of a “true” “inner” self is increasingly questioned—it is these qualities that make DST highly suited to the investigation of authenticity in contemporary life. Four aspects of DST can facilitate the exploration of authenticity: (1) the function of personal positions and their role in shaping and stylizing social positions, (2) how I-positions differ in relation to openness to innovation and the degree to which they are personally endorsed, (3) how I-positions can encompass a shared identity and can express a collective voice, and (4) the emotional tenor of experiences involving authenticity. To illustrate the utility of this conceptual assemblage, a case study of the authenticity experiences of an early-career language teacher is presented. The study demonstrates how, in the dialogical self, authenticity involves the experience of how one is in one’s actions and in one’s relationships.
(Less)
- author
- Henry, Alastair LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- epub
- subject
- keywords
- Authenticity, dialogical self, excavation work, language education, teaching, working life
- in
- Journal of Constructivist Psychology
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85217374087
- ISSN
- 1072-0537
- DOI
- 10.1080/10720537.2025.2456789
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 7b8f1a29-d3d1-44db-8250-7f3314bb40d3
- date added to LUP
- 2025-06-02 09:44:46
- date last changed
- 2025-06-02 09:45:16
@article{7b8f1a29-d3d1-44db-8250-7f3314bb40d3,
abstract = {{<p>In dialogical self theory (DST) authenticity has not been a central concern. The humanist notion of a static, higher-order, superordinate, ultimate, and “true” self runs counter to the ontology of DST, and the conceptualization of the dialogical self as unconsolidated, multifaceted, dynamic, and sensitive to situational change. In a climate in which the psychology of authenticity is undergoing revision—and in which the existence of a “true” “inner” self is increasingly questioned—it is these qualities that make DST highly suited to the investigation of authenticity in contemporary life. Four aspects of DST can facilitate the exploration of authenticity: (1) the function of personal positions and their role in shaping and stylizing social positions, (2) how I-positions differ in relation to openness to innovation and the degree to which they are personally endorsed, (3) how I-positions can encompass a shared identity and can express a collective voice, and (4) the emotional tenor of experiences involving authenticity. To illustrate the utility of this conceptual assemblage, a case study of the authenticity experiences of an early-career language teacher is presented. The study demonstrates how, in the dialogical self, authenticity involves the experience of how one is in one’s actions and in one’s relationships.</p>}},
author = {{Henry, Alastair}},
issn = {{1072-0537}},
keywords = {{Authenticity; dialogical self; excavation work; language education; teaching; working life}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
series = {{Journal of Constructivist Psychology}},
title = {{Exploring Authenticity in the Dialogical Self : A Conceptual Assemblage}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10720537.2025.2456789}},
doi = {{10.1080/10720537.2025.2456789}},
year = {{2025}},
}