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I was surprised the article didn’t address biologically based predispositions and personality traits, self views, other people’s perceptions of us, the roles we play in society, work, family, friends, and school. All of these factors as well as our beliefs and values, body image, routines and memories all play important roles in our persona and our concept of self. They do not necessarily fight for control or plot against each other or lead to multiple selves. These variables combined could suggest a single “uncompleted” self with multiple interconnected internal components brought out in different situations over time based on our predispositions (eliciting a combination of nature and nurture).

I see us as having situational roles/identities more so than selves, as selves don’t represent who we truly “are.”  Multiple selves are more fitting for classifying multiple personality disorders or other mental illnesses (in which each generated self is unique and independent, unable to transfer memories, experiences and the like to a separate self). Situational roles would perhaps better embrace personal experiences, temporary mood sates, traits, achievements etc. which would contribute to certain actions, reactions, responses and motivations, desires and ideas given specific environmental situations.

Personality and traits are constantly developing at younger ages and into adulthood. However, there comes a point where change is not needed and stability and consistency become a larger predictor of behavior across situations, alluding to less internal conflict with more narrowed generalities about who we are and how we act.

Some questions that came to mind after reading the article: Are there also cultural differences that influence our view of self? (Perhaps highlighting “one” self vs “multiple” selves?) Is it the brain's constructions that we see ourselves as having multiple counterparts whether they are in harmony or conflict? Or is it an on-going social construction? Can we reduce these multiple selves to just an active and reflexive “self”?