Uploaded : June 2020

Keywords:
Kenneth Gergen, social constructionism, social relationships, reality, deconstruction, curiosity, generative discourse, relational self, multi-being, self, therapeutic relationship, conflict, embodied action, transformative dialogue, relational history.

interviewing Kenneth Gergen

Kelly Patrikou

Psychologist, systemic and family psychotherapist. Private practice. kalliopi_pat@yahoo.com

Olga Konstantinou

Psychologist-Psychotherapist, OKANA Substitution Treatment Program, “Amalia Fleming” Doctor of Clinical Psychology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, kolga3@yahoo.gr

Abstract

One of the basic proposals of social constructionism posits that what we take to be the truth about the world depends on the social relationships of which we are a part. Whenever we attempt to describe reality we rely on a particular standpoint or tradition in order to do so. Social constructionism invites a deconstruction about our assumptions, curiosity about others ideas and values and a reconstruction of co-creating generative discourses.

In the current interview, Kenneth Gergen expands our knowledge regarding social constructionism’s idea of relational self and multi-being. The concept of relational self moves away from the view of the self as bounded, consistent and coherent. Self is seen as a by-product of relationship, originating from a process of relational confluence. Multi-being emerges from co-action, as an individual that carries many potentials resulting from our relational history as well as multi-beings in continuous flight and coordination with others and our potentials. Thus, therapy in this light is seen as relational transformation, as a dance of co-action, a dance in which meaning is constantly in motion, a way of enhancing resources for viable relationships.

(Kelly Patrikou)