Moving through three paradigms, yet remaining the same thinker

Abstract

The author reflects on his scientific and professional career as it developed over 40 years. Partly as an autobiographical sketch, he describes three phases, each guided by a specific paradigm: individual differences, narrative, and dialogical. Looking back at the different phases, the author emphasizes the non-linear nature of his development, in which the preceding phases merged into the next one, resulting in complex combinations of old and new elements.

Keywords:

• Dialogical self
• self-confrontation
• valuation theory
• traits
• psychotherapy

Acknowledgement

I thank Els Hermans-Jansen for the opportunity to cooperate as a co-therapist with her as a therapist and for her lasting contribution to my scientific and professional development over the years.