The Problem of Self-identity in Terms of Cultural-Historical Psychology

Abstract

We discuss the possibilities of solving the key problems of psychology of self-identity (its psychological nature and mechanisms) by the means of cultural-historical methodology. Through the category of "culture", the essence of self-development as a process of culture adequate self-transformation is revealed, carried out with the help of specifically human higher mental functions and having the attributes of arbitrariness, sociality, mediation, and awareness. We denoted the line of personal development as a process of cultural production of the means by which a person will change, create, cultivate environment: external and internal. We reveal the mechanism of ontogenetic transition from development to self-development as the history of the transition from the position of culture agent to the creativity and self-creation of the personality. We show the role of the personality as an organizing, managing, directing functional center, providing self-determined nature of self-development.

Keywords

• culture
• development
• self-development
• personality
• subject
• self-management
• creativity
• means