A proposal to consider a new model of the self and the methodology of its exploring and transforming

Abstract

The aim of this work is to present a new concept of the agonistic self as well as a new methodology for its exploring and transforming. Based on Foucault’s analytics of power, but also constructivist metaphor of the community of self and the theory of polyphony we propose the self to be conceived as multiple and emerging from the dialogical encounter of the various positions of subjectivities unequaled in power. This theoretical model of the self explains the empirical findings suggesting that the sense of self is fragmented, contextualized, changeable and inconsistent. Further, inspired by the technique of the constructivist rologram, we developed a new approach to exploring and facilitating change in the agonistic self. The case study research on student’s sense of self is conducted and the results were presented as the illustration of the methodology of the agonistic self.