From Internal Interlocutors to Psychological Functions of Dialogical Activity

Abstract

This article introduces four studies inspired by the theory of the dialogical self. Types of imaginary interlocutors and their psychological functions were considered in Study 1. Four basic types of interlocutors involved in internal dialogues were mentioned: Faithful Friend, Proud Rival, Helpless Child, and Ambivalent Parent. Study 2 concerned relationships among role-playing game (RPG) players and their heroes. The outcomes showed that, if the confrontation with the RPG hero was taken up, it typically led to a new insight concerning mutual connections between the player's usual self and the self of his or her hero, with a simultaneous experience of autonomy and success. Studies 3 and 4 focused on the relationships between internal dialogical activity and personality traits measured by the NEO-PI-R by Costa and McCrae (1992). In Study 3 the respondents having imaginary dialogues scored lower on Assertiveness and higher on Self-Consciousness, Fantasy, Aesthetics, Feelings and Openness than those having monologues. In Study 4 the Dialogical Activity Scale (DAS) corresponded with Openness and Neuroticism, and four facets: Aesthetics, Feelings, Self-Consciousness, and Self-Discipline. The studies were discussed in terms of processes explained by the notion of the dialogical self and their connections to levels of personality described by McCrae and Costa (1999) or McAdams and Pals (2006).

This article was prepared with the support of the Foundation for Polish Science.

Notes

1. The additional questions, used at the stage 3 of the first session to elicit valuations reflecting mutual relations of players and their heroes, were as follows:

1. Player's reference to the hero:

   Tell about your personal attitude to your role-play hero (the character you identify with in the game). What is … (the name of the hero) from your point of view? What would you say to him or her or about him or her?

2. Hero's reference to the player:

   Imagine that you are this figure now. Tell about your personal attitude to … (the name of the player). What is … (the name of the player) from your point of view? What would you say to him or her or about him or her?