Greetings from Hijiri Fujishima of Be-Myself LLC.
I recently had the profound experience of delivering my inaugural poster presentation at the 35th Annual Convention of the Japanese Society of Personality Psychology.
A poster presentation is an engaging format where a comprehensive poster, encapsulating one's research insights, is exhibited at the venue. The presenter then stands by, ready to engage in dialogue, answer questions, and exchange perspectives with attending participants.
A vibrant tapestry of 132 poster presentations unfolded across four distinct sessions, each showcasing a rich array of over thirty posters. The majority of these illuminated meticulous research, presenting data analyses derived from thorough surveys and experiments.
In contrast, my presentation unveiled a nuanced perspective: the 'Fader Framework,' which refines and organizes a facet of the 'Fader Theory' I previously shared on Zenodo.
While the reception was an anticipated unknown, I was truly heartened to see seven individuals pause during my allocated hour, engaging with thoughtful questions. Explaining the framework to each person organically expanded our discourse, filling the entire hour with meaningful interaction.
From graduate students, scholars, and corporate consultants alike, I received encouraging affirmations:
'Fascinating!'
'Indeed, I understand!'
Their genuine interest was, without a doubt, the most cherished reward.
The 'Fader' I presented proposes a revolutionary way to perceive personality and traits—not as immutable fixtures, but as dynamic energies that subtly shift and flow with 'time' and 'context.'
Even seemingly opposing elements, such as extroversion and introversion, or boldness and caution, are envisioned as distinct 'faders.' My hypothesis suggests that while these elements may shift unconsciously with varying environments, a conscious awareness of their movement empowers us to intentionally guide and adjust them ourselves.
Jung himself illuminated the presence of opposing forces within every individual. Furthermore, the notion that one's expression transforms with different 'contexts' is not a novel concept; it is thoughtfully explored in Allport's 'Personality Psychology.' Thus, my presentation was not to proclaim 'People change with their environment!' as a groundbreaking revelation.
My focus, rather, is on how we perceive and engage with this inherent 'variability.' And it is as a model to articulate this fluidity that I propose the 'Fader.'
The Fader is more than a mere display of one's current state; it is a profound tool. While it may shift unconsciously in response to context, recognizing this subtle movement empowers us to consciously guide its trajectory.
For instance, one might observe, 'Ah, the fader of caution is heightened now,' or thoughtfully decide, 'Perhaps I shall gently elevate the fader of assertiveness,' thereby gently observing and harmonizing one's inner landscape.
Rather than rigidly defining the self as a fixed personality, to embrace it as 'something that can be consciously modulated' is a cornerstone of this philosophy. This profound reframe is indeed one of the compelling reasons I champion the 'Fader' model.
Our poster also featured a link to an intuitive application, allowing for a direct, embodied experience of engaging with the faders. Several attendees at the venue had the opportunity to navigate its controls firsthand.
The subtle, dynamic sensation of 'moving' these internal levers, often elusive through mere words, can be experienced here.
Furthermore, my dialogues with esteemed psychology professors at the symposium birthed a new lineage of inquiry within me.
'When one opposing trait ascends, does its counterpart truly recede?' Is this an absolute truth we hold?
This profound query stirred my spirit, compelling me to return to my lodgings immediately after the presentation and embark on a dedicated quest for deeper understanding.
My exploration led me back through the annals of psychology to Jung, tracing its intricate history, and ultimately, much to my delight, I found myself immersed in a fascinating paper from a Taiwanese university. (A gentle laugh of discovery!). I had brought my nascent thoughts, sparked by an initial '?', to the symposium, only to return home carrying a refreshed and even deeper '?'.
This intriguing thread, I believe, merits its own dedicated reflection in a future narrative.