Positioning: Dialogical voice in mind and culture

Abstract

The article combines discourse analysis and dialogical self theory to propose an integrated model of positioning processes in social interaction. The model incorporates social positioning—a focus for discursive psychology—with reflexive positioning—a focus for dialogical self theory. To illustrate the model, a fictionalized scenario is presented involving two people who meet for a date at a restaurant. The discursive dynamics of the scenario are then parsed using the model. The sequelae to the encounter take in the social rules for conducting dates at restaurants, but also the life trajectories of those concerned, their social worlds, and their internal micro-dialogues. Bakhtin’s concept of “loophole” is invoked to conceptualize reflexivity in the self, in the context of interactional dialogues. In discussion, the prospects for using fictional accounts as tools for developing psychological theory are considered. Without innovation in methods, advances in our understanding of positioning processes may be compromised.

A dialogical self-approach to understanding teacher identity in times of educational innovations

“…The second is the position, which is a particular current social and institutional function that can be developed by teachers in culture, society, communities, or institutions. The identity of a particular teacher can be described based on a dynamic multiplicity of relatively autonomous but interrelated I-positions in the landscape of his/her human mind (Hermans, Kempen, & Van Loon, 1992); therefore, a teacher's I-position is considered a subjective expression of his/her teacher identity (Raggatt, 2015).…”

Dialogical selves in action: Movements within and between frames in work meetings

“…As Raggatt (2007) has noted, there is a need for conceptual clarity of the various forms of positioning. In his studies, Raggatt (2007, 2015) has both presented a system of classification of the forms of positioning and analysed a fictionalised scenario in order to illuminate how the social dynamics of positioning and intrapersonal microdialogues direct interactions in dyadic encounters. As Raggatt (2015) states, the model is preliminary and “focuses on positioning processes in interaction episodes from the perspective of one individual, as that individual is embedded both in the symbolic order and in the situation-at-hand” (p. 788).…”

“…In his studies, Raggatt (2007, 2015) has both presented a system of classification of the forms of positioning and analysed a fictionalised scenario in order to illuminate how the social dynamics of positioning and intrapersonal microdialogues direct interactions in dyadic encounters. As Raggatt (2015) states, the model is preliminary and “focuses on positioning processes in interaction episodes from the perspective of one individual, as that individual is embedded both in the symbolic order and in the situation-at-hand” (p. 788). Considering all the dimensions of positioning processes, the model summarises a wide group of semiotic and social elements, which are useful in analysing social interaction; however, it can be difficult to take into account all the details of the social, semiotic, and sociopsychological processes mentioned in the study.…”

Doctoral Support Networks: characteristics and associations with research conditions and identity development

“…Several factors may facilitate the development of a specific I-position as a researcher. First, a special kind of I-positions, promoters (Hermans, 2018;Raggatt, 2015) have the potential to organize and give direction to groups of Ipositions and stimulate the development of the self. They push the self into particular innovative directions, facilitating the emergence of more specialized (new) I-positions and integrating them within the previous self repertoire in order to cope with the demands of a specific domain (in this case, e.g.…”