Lives as Collections of Strands

An Essay in Descriptive Psychology

Bibliographic Data

ID21786137
AuthorsMichael Kubovy (0000-0002-8756-4399, University of Virginia, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume15
Issue2
Pages497-515
Publication date2020-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePerspectives on Psychological Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1745-6916 • E-ISSN: 1745-6924
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1745691619887145
PMID31935336
OpenAlexW3000148085
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited165

In this article I generalize the notion of multiple self-aspects to create a descriptive framework in which lives are partitioned into containers of activities called strands. Strands are nearly decomposable life modules, structured, stable, and concurrent longitudinal streams of extended duration whose momentary cross-sections constitute self-aspects. They are differentiated by five features: the person’s role, the cast, the setting, norms and values, and habits and routines. Strands contain projects and episodes and are replete with narrative. Each strand is continuous (i.e., strands persist when a person moves between them), and for the most part strands are mutually asynchronous. From a first-person perspective, the strands are continuous and concurrent, but only one strand is in the foreground at a given time (i.e., transitions between strands are akin to a figure-ground reversal). Furthermore, a life is different from the sum of its strands: It is a nonlinear system that can take on configurations not predictable from a comprehensive description of the individual strands. Two such examples are the achievement of greatness despite severe handicaps and instances of extreme self-sacrifice. I also discuss the research potential of a proposed smartphone app called LifeMaps

Asynchronous communication · Cognitive psychology · Cognitive science · Epistemology · Greatness · Linguistics · Narrative · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Computer Science · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Philosophy · Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research · Psychology · Social Psychology · Artificial Intelligence