"Constructive Urge for Self-Presentation-Mediating between the Past and the Future".

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Philosophy of Mind

Background:

• The dialogical self theory (DST) posits the self as a subjective center within a semiotic network.
• The self mediates between past experiences and future aspirations, constantly reconstructing itself through internal and external 'I-positions'.
• Existing DST models primarily focus on immediate developmental contexts, with less emphasis on long-term temporal projections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elaborate on the temporal dimensions within DST, specifically focusing on the human need for self-presentation.
• To introduce and define the 'zone of distant development' (ZDD) as a conceptual future time zone.
• To explore how aspirations projected into the ZDD influence present-day self-perception and actions.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual elaboration and theoretical integration within the framework of Dialogical Self Theory.
• Analysis of the role of temporal dimensions, particularly future-oriented aspirations, in self-construction.
• Examination of the drive for self-presentation as a fundamental human urge influencing behavior and legacy.

Main Results:

• The future is conceptualized as comprising both the zone of proximal development (ZPD) and the newly proposed zone of distant development (ZDD).
• The ZDD, separated from the ZPD by an undefined temporal gap, encompasses aspirations that provide meaning to present life.
• The urge for self-presentation, a key driver of human action, is intrinsically linked to personal and social identity, extending even beyond death.

Conclusions:

• The elaborated DST framework highlights future-directedness as a core aspect of human motivation, driven by the desire for self-presentation.
• The concept of the ZDD offers a new perspective on how long-term aspirations shape identity and guide actions.
• The inherent human need to leave a trace and be signified within a semiotic system underscores the profound connection between individual existence and social legacy.