Temporal stages in the development of the self

H. B. Green

pp. 1-19

in: Fraser, Nathaniel Lawrence (eds), The study of time II, Berlin, Springer, 1975

Abstract

This paper will propose that there is a self, that the self is imbedded in time, and that the self develops by solving a succession of eleven temporal problems encountered in its lifespan. The approach to these propositions will include consideration of five psychological givens. In the context of this paper, the term "psychological given' refers to the nature of the psychophysical inheritance which determines to some extent the potentials for behavior throughout the individual's lifetime. These psychological givens underlie the continuous functioning of the self in time. It will be shown that they permit the self to become increasingly selective, cumulative, unique, consistent, and time-aware.