Multiple identity enactments and multiple personality disorder: a sociocognitive perspective

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Cultural Anthropology

Background:

• Individuals exhibiting multiple identities display distinct selves, each with unique moods, memories, and behaviors.
• This phenomenon, known as multiple personality disorder (MPD) in North America, is observed across various cultures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review experimental, cross-cultural, historical, and clinical findings related to multiplicity.
• To examine the implications of these findings for understanding multiple personality disorder (MPD).

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature including experimental, cross-cultural, historical, and clinical studies.
• Sociocognitive perspective analysis of multiplicity and its manifestations.

Main Results:

• Multiplicity is a cross-cultural phenomenon, often labeled as multiple personality disorder (MPD) in North America.
• Findings suggest MPD is socially constructed, context-bound, and goal-directed behavior.

Conclusions:

• Multiple personality disorder (MPD), like other forms of multiplicity, is a social construct.
• The characteristics of MPD evolve over time, influenced by societal expectations and significant others.