Existential Debates
"There are several different ways in which people see, explain and conceptualise [plurality]. [. . .] And I think it’s important to at least acknowledge that these different views exist, even if you think that all [plurality] falls into one of those categories[.]"
- Meeresbande
- Meeresbande
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
Existential debates in syscourse focus on the "what" and the "how" questions.
There have always been conflicting beliefs over what counts as a genuine experience of many people, selves, or perspectives in one body. There are many different viewpoints on what plurality is, how it works, what causes it, and what should or shouldn’t be considered plurality. |
The existential views that people have on plurality can be deeply personal and significant. Furthermore, it is still a vastly under-researched topic. This may explain why existential debates are a commonplace in syscourse and why they often become intense or even volatile.
2. Existence & Causation
Plurality As A Disorder
The experience of having multiple, autonomous selves with their own first person perspective is often seen as something pathological. It is part of the core symptomology of dissociative identity disorder (DID) and some other dissociative disorders (DD).
Trauma ModelThe trauma model is widely accepted as the most evidence-based etiology model for DID [1]. The trauma model posits that DID is caused by developmental trauma or adverse childhood experiences [2]. There are non-disordered experiences (such as mediumship and westernized tulpamancy) that can appear similar to DD at times, but they are ultimately considered to not be the same thing [3]. This is why the trauma model only applies to DID and is not intended to encompass other plural experiences.
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Skeptical Models
There are some people who doubt the existence of both dissociative disorders (DD) and plurality. Skeptics in the field have proposed three alternative models known as the fantasy model, iatrogenic model, and sociocognitive model.
The fantasy model conceptualizes dissociation and plurality as imaginary concepts in fantasy-prone people. This model also posits that recovered memories of trauma are imaginary and not real [4]. Like the fantasy model, the iatrogenic and sociocognitive models also suggest that these experiences are fantasized. The iatrogenic model suggests that clinicians implant these ideas in their patients, while the sociocognitive model suggests that patients come up with these ideas on their own due to cultural or media influence [4].
In a meta-analysis of over 1,500 studies to contrast evidence between the TM and the skeptical models, it was concluded that there was strong empirical support for the TM and very little empirical support for any of the skeptical models [1]. Furthermore, there are no studies in clinical populations that support the skeptical models [4].
The fantasy model conceptualizes dissociation and plurality as imaginary concepts in fantasy-prone people. This model also posits that recovered memories of trauma are imaginary and not real [4]. Like the fantasy model, the iatrogenic and sociocognitive models also suggest that these experiences are fantasized. The iatrogenic model suggests that clinicians implant these ideas in their patients, while the sociocognitive model suggests that patients come up with these ideas on their own due to cultural or media influence [4].
In a meta-analysis of over 1,500 studies to contrast evidence between the TM and the skeptical models, it was concluded that there was strong empirical support for the TM and very little empirical support for any of the skeptical models [1]. Furthermore, there are no studies in clinical populations that support the skeptical models [4].
Plurality As A Healthy Experience
Some people propose that plurality is not always pathological; it can be a healthy state of being [5][6]. While there are those who completely reject it, many who believe plurality is a healthy experience still support the trauma model. They do not believe that the trauma model should be applied to everyone with plural experiences because not everyone fits within it. They believe that trauma may sometimes cause plurality, but it is not a requirement; plurality may be a disorder for some, but it is not for all.
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Non-disordered plurals often find plurality to be enjoyable and a natural part of who they are, like being left-handed or LGBTQ+ [7]. Some alternative causations to plurality that non-disordered plurals have suggested are: spiritual or religious phenomenon, trauma or stress in adulthood, being born with plurality, voluntarily creating plural experiences, and spontaneous plural experiences [7][8][9].
Plurality As A Social Construct
Both the medical field and the plurality community have proposed that plurality is a social construct [10][11]. It is an umbrella term for a multitude of experiences that may or may not have much to do with each other besides the experience of "being more than one."
While research on plurality is still barebones, experts like Eli Somer have expressed that non-disordered plural experiences are distinct from DID [24]. Others researchers have also suggested that it's necessary for there to be specified language to differentiate non-disordered plural experiences from those that cause distress or impairment [25].
While research on plurality is still barebones, experts like Eli Somer have expressed that non-disordered plural experiences are distinct from DID [24]. Others researchers have also suggested that it's necessary for there to be specified language to differentiate non-disordered plural experiences from those that cause distress or impairment [25].
3. Functionality
Resident Causation
The origins of someone's overall plurality is usually considered to be separate from how each of their multiple selves or inner residents were created. For example, one person may consider their overall system to be endogenic (originating from no trauma), but may identify that some of their inner residents arose as a response to trauma later on in life.
In the onlien plural community, the most commonly described resident causations include: residents that arose in response to a stressful or traumatic situation, residents that arose spontaneously for potentially no reason, residents that were voluntarily created, residents that traveled into the system from some external source, and residents that are considered spiritual or religious in nature. |
While it's not uncommon for people to mistake a dissociative system for spiritual phenomena [12], dissociative disorders (DD) are not actually spiritual in nature. This is corroborated by studies which have shown that alters are entirely separate and functionally different from genuine spiritual or religious practices [3].
Even though DD are widely considered to be trauma-based, the residents in a dissociative system can still originate from causations unrelated to trauma. Once a dissociative person has developed alters, new alters can continue to manifest throughout their life [12].
Even though DD are widely considered to be trauma-based, the residents in a dissociative system can still originate from causations unrelated to trauma. Once a dissociative person has developed alters, new alters can continue to manifest throughout their life [12].
Resident Death
Also referred to as alter death or headmate death, resident death is the experience of another self or person inside passing away. While some believe that this is permanent, other plurals express that resident death is not truly permanent [13]. Temporary or not, this can be a deeply tragic experience for any plural and many find it cathartic to mourn their suddenly lost members [14]. For example, Emmengard shares their own experience coping with resident death in their comic "The Blobbies".
When it comes to dissociative disorders, alters cannot truly die [15][16]. While it's not possible for alters to truly die, they can still act out death, go missing or fall dormant, or feel as if they have died [16][17]. Since alters are a part of the brain, dead or missing alters are not truly gone. As long as the brain is still alive, they can be revived [17].
When it comes to dissociative disorders, alters cannot truly die [15][16]. While it's not possible for alters to truly die, they can still act out death, go missing or fall dormant, or feel as if they have died [16][17]. Since alters are a part of the brain, dead or missing alters are not truly gone. As long as the brain is still alive, they can be revived [17].
Resident Travel
Frequently referred to as system hopping, body hopping, or headspace travel, resident travel encompasses the idea that alternate selves/people inside one brain can travel to a different brain. Sometimes the resident may stay permanently, or return back to the original system. Excluding religious beliefs such as spirit possession, resident travel would be the experience of a single consciousness being passed between two bodies. This would most likely be considered an extra-sensory perception or some form of telepathy.
Like with any paranormal phenomenon, many people doubt the legitimacy of resident travel. Many people stress that resident travel is incompatible with dissociative disorders because alters are parts of the brain [18]. Even some resident travelers insist that it is purely a religious or spiritual belief to them, and it should not be extended to psychology or mental health issues like DID [19][20].
Unfortunately, it is a very real reality that resident travel is often weaponized as an abusive tactic against vulnerable people, especially those who experience dissociation and psychosis. The perpetrator might use the belief of resident travel to maintain control over their victim's perception of reality. Many survivors of this abuse have claimed that the perpetrator attempted to "shape" their system, such as forcing them to split off or manifest new system members [22][23].
Like with any paranormal phenomenon, many people doubt the legitimacy of resident travel. Many people stress that resident travel is incompatible with dissociative disorders because alters are parts of the brain [18]. Even some resident travelers insist that it is purely a religious or spiritual belief to them, and it should not be extended to psychology or mental health issues like DID [19][20].
Unfortunately, it is a very real reality that resident travel is often weaponized as an abusive tactic against vulnerable people, especially those who experience dissociation and psychosis. The perpetrator might use the belief of resident travel to maintain control over their victim's perception of reality. Many survivors of this abuse have claimed that the perpetrator attempted to "shape" their system, such as forcing them to split off or manifest new system members [22][23].
References
- Dalenberg, C. J., Brand, B. L., Gleaves, D. H., Dorahy, M. J., Loewenstein, R. J., Cardeña, E., Frewen, P. A., Carlson, E. B., & Spiegel, D. (2012). Evaluation of the evidence for the trauma and fantasy models of dissociation. Psychological bulletin, 138(3), 550–588. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027447
- Şar, V., Dorahy, M. J., & Krüger, C. (2017). Revisiting the etiological aspects of dissociative identity disorder: a biopsychosocial perspective. Psychology research and behavior management, 10, 137–146. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S113743
- Moreira-Almeida, A., Neto, F. L., & Cardeña, E. (2008). Comparison of brazilian spiritist mediumship and dissociative identity disorder. The Journal of nervous and mental disease, 196(5), 420–424. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0b013e31816ff3a1
- Loewenstein R. J. (2018). Dissociation debates: everything you know is wrong. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 20(3), 229–242. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2018.20.3/rloewenstein
- Manchester Metropolitan University's "Understanding Multiplicity" (PDF)
- Are Multiple Personalities Always a Disorder? (vice.com)
- brochure_pluralv1.1.pdf (karitas.net)
- More Than One
- four and twenty : because plurality is for the birds (karitas.net)
- Ribáry, G., Lajtai, L., Demetrovics, Z., & Maraz, A. (2017). Multiplicity: An Explorative Interview Study on Personal Experiences of People with Multiple Selves. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 938. Doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00938
- GSSL Comics on Twitter: "Hey y'all, we decided to start a crashcourse on plurality for people who are confused about #pluralgang! We've made plural comics in the past, but never really explained what plurality is. With all the confusion we've seen lately, it's time to change that https://t.co/4ADeOvD4iG"
- International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. (2011). [Chu, J. A., Dell, P. F., Van der Hart, O., Cardeña, E., Barach, P. M., Somer, E., Loewenstein, R. J., Brand, B., Golston, J. C., Courtois, C. A., Bowman, E. S., Classen, C., Dorahy, M., ̧ Sar,V., Gelinas,D.J., Fine,C.G., Paulsen, S., Kluft, R. P., Dalenberg, C. J., Jacobson-Levy, M., Nijenhuis, E. R. S., Boon, S., Chefetz, R.A., Middleton, W., Ross, C. A., Howell, E., Goodwin, G., Coons, P. M., Frankel, A. S., Steele, K., Gold, S. N., Gast, U., Young, L. M., & Twombly, J.]. Guidelines for treating dissociative identity disorder in adults, third revision. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 12, 115–187. Doi: 10.1080/15299732.2011.537247.
- Kinhost dot Org | Resident Death
- lb_lee | Death and Multiplicity (revised) (dreamwidth.org)
- Myths About Dissociative Identity Disorder (did-research.org)
- DID Myths and Misconceptions — Beauty After Bruises
- Alter Identities in Dissociative Identity Disorder (MPD) and DDNOS (traumadissociation.com)
- This is Not Dissociative • Do you know anything about Gateway Systems? I... (tumblr.com)
- MOGAI + Plurals — I don't know much about system hopping! Wow! May I... (archive.org)
- MOGAI + Plurals — There's a psychological explanation for the... (archive.org)
- How do you deal with another system who believes... – Why not, Dissociative Degu? (tumblr.com)
- This is Not Dissociative • 1/2 Do you think it's possible for a system to... (tumblr.com)
- This is Not Dissociative • Thank you SO much for raising awareness of system... (tumblr.com)
- Emma. (Host). (2021, December 16). Guest: Eli Somer (No. 325) [Audio podcast episode]. In System Speak.
- Eve, Z., Parry, S. (2021). Exploring the experiences of young people with multiplicity. Youth & Policy. Retrieved from https://www.youthandpolicy.org/articles/young-people-with-multiplicity/.
- Freepik
- DIDOSDD1 Awareness Ribbon by PluralityCritique
- Plurality Pride Flag by Kenochronic
- Many Voices Press, December 2009