Self-Narrative Personality TheoryPersonality isBiological ImperativesThe Desire for Meaning or “reasons” has us create our own story and its behaviorsDeveloping Personality is making distinctions about what we perceiveStages of Self-Differentiation (John Weir, 1963)Common “Misdistinctions”Being versus DoingSelf-NarrativePersonality TheoryPeter SherasWith credit to John WeirPersonality isA story told to us by culture.The language we use to describe it.The names we have for biologically driven imperatives.Biological imperatives include the need for meaningBiological ImperativesNurturanceSafetyThe desire for meaningBiological imperatives can include the needs for thought( desire for meaning)Completion is necessary progressMeaning and behavior are reciprocal functionsThe Desire for Meaning or “reasons” has us create our own story and its behaviorsFeelings are responses attached to experiencesWe confuse having and being functions (e.g. You are NOT your feelings!)The experience of Truth is mostly perceptual consistencyWe have feelings and behaviors but can confuse themThe Gaurdians of Truth are Confusion and ParadoxDeveloping Personality is making distinctions about what we perceive We learn the relationship between feelings, impulses and behaviors in a contextWe progress through development by “figuring out” our confusionsCompletion resolves confusionCompletion allows for self-differentiation from our “story.” context or pastStages of Self-Differentiation(John Weir, 1963)Experience with Awareness–Paying attentionEncounter with Acceptance–Interest without judgementEnlightenment with Acknowledgement–Take responsibility for what we know and cause in the universeExecution with Authority–Take actions because we choose to (say so).Common “Misdistinctions”Anger = HateLoss = RejectionUnderstanding = AgreementFeeling = BeingResponsibility = FaultConfusion = ErrorTypical = NormalLanguage = RealityTruth = Our Story (our nature )Being versus DoingWe think that who we are is what we have done or accomplished.It may be that what we do is actually a result to who we are. Maybe that comes first.We are human beings, not human doings.Fear of failure and looking good are what drives us to act.What if we were driven by the possibility of who we might