Hubert J.M. Hermans

is professor of psychology at the University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, involved in teaching and research in personality psychology.
Two of his recent publications are:
Hermans, H.J.M. (2001). The dialogical self: Toward a theory of personal and cultural positioning. Feature article in a special issue on the dialogical self. Culture & Psychology, 7 (3), 243-281.
Hermans, H.J.M., & Kempen, H.J.G. (1998). Moving cultures: The perilous problems of cultural dichotomies in a globalizing society. American Psychologist, 53 (10), 1111-1120. .

Cultural complexity and the dialogical self

Wednesday, 09.00
I will start with an introduction on dialogical self theory as an approach that treats the self as culture-inclusive and culture as self-inclusive. On the basis of this introduction, I will present a review of recent discussions in this area. Finally, I will argue that a dialogical view of self and society is in line with the increasing complexity of society and with the shifting emphasis from the core of a culture toward the interfaces between different cultures.