A Behavioral Approach to the Problem of Self-Control,
Abstract
Ordinary, everyday uses of the terms "I" and "myself" seem to vary widely, although it also seems that one can identify common symbolic behavioral aspects of these uses. Certain persons who have suffered amputation of a hand are very clear that "the hand, and consequently, certain behavior is lost. There is no suggestion that part of "the I," "the me," or "the self" is lost. In contrast, other persons separated from a loved companion--or even from a loved landscape--express the loss as "it is as though I had lost part of myself" or, "part of me is gone." Of course, if one defines "the I" and "the me," in contra-distinction to 11the not I" and "the not me," as bounded by the skin (and possibly by the respiratory, gastro-intestinal and genito-urinary mucuous membranes) then in both the cases mentioned one can say the terms "I and "me" are being used metaphorically or analogically. The introduction of such a subsidiary hypothesis hardly helps unless one agrees to operate in the frame of reference of the ancient humors 1--where the I'' is in a good, or bad or what-not humor.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 10, 1962
- Accession Number
- ADA365914
Entities
People
- David M. Rioch