Diaries as technologies for sense-making and self-transformation in times of vulnerability

Bernal Marcos, Marcos José, Zittoun, Tania and Gillespie, Alex ORCID: 0000-0002-0162-1269 (2023) Diaries as technologies for sense-making and self-transformation in times of vulnerability. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science. ISSN 1932-4502

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Abstract

Diaries have been generally understood as “windows” on sense-making processes when studying life ruptures. In this article, we draw on Michel Foucault’s conceptualization of self-writing as a “technology of the self” and on sociocultural psychology to propose that diaries are not “windows” but technologies that aid in the sense-making. Concretely, we analyzed three non-exhaustive and non-exclusive uses of diary writing in times of vulnerability: (1) imagination of the future and preparation to encounter difficulties; (2) distancing from one’s own experience; and (3) creating personal commitments. Our longitudinal data comprised three public online diaries written over more than twenty years, belonging to three anonymous individuals selected from a database of more than 400 diaries. We analyzed these three diaries by iterating between qualitative and quantitative analysis. We conclude that: (1) beyond their expressive dimension, diaries are technologies that support the sense-making process, but not without difficulties; (2) diaries form a self-generated space for dialogue with oneself in which the diarist also becomes aware of the social nature of her life story; (3) diaries are not only technologies for the Socratic “know thyself” but also technologies to work on oneself, especially in terms of the personal perspective on the past or the future; and (4) the practice of diary writing goes beyond sense-making towards personal development and the desire to transform one’s life trajectory.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2023, The Author(s).
Divisions:	Psychological and Behavioural Science
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology H Social Sciences
Date Deposited:	19 Apr 2023 08:21
Last Modified:	18 Nov 2024 20:24
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/118669

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