Individual differences between the self-states.

The concept of self-states is a recurring theme in various psychotherapeutic and counseling methodologies. However, the predominantly unconscious nature of these self-states presents two challenges. Firstly, it renders the process of working with them susceptible to biases and therapeutic suggestions. Secondly, there is skepticism regarding the observability and differentiation of self-states beyond subjective experiences. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of eliciting self-states from clients and objectively distinguishing these evoked self-states through the lens of neutral observers. The self-state constellation method, utilized as an embodied approach, facilitated the activation of diverse self-states. External observers then assessed the nonverbal manifestations of affect along three primary dimensions: emotional valence, arousal, and dominance. Our findings indicate that external observers could reliably discern and differentiate individual self-states based on the bodily displayed valence and dominance. However, the ability to distinguish states based on displayed arousal was not evident. Importantly, this distinctiveness of various self-states was not limited to specific individuals but extended across the entire recording sample. Therefore, within the framework of the self-state constellation method, it is evident that individual self-states can be intentionally evoked, and these states can be objectively differentiated beyond the subjective experiences of the client.

在各类心理治疗与咨询方法中，自我状态（self-states）概念始终是反复出现的核心议题。然而，这类自我状态大多处于无意识层面，这带来了两项挑战：其一，针对此类自我状态的干预过程易受偏见与治疗性暗示的干扰；其二，除来访者的主观体验外，自我状态的可观测性与可区分性一直饱受质疑。
本研究证实了从来访者身上诱发自我状态的可行性，并证明可通过中立观察者的视角，对诱发产生的各类自我状态进行客观区分。本研究采用的自我状态构形法（self-state constellation method）作为一种具身化干预手段，可有效激活多样化的自我状态。随后，外部观察者从情绪效价（emotional valence）、唤醒度（arousal）与支配度（dominance）三个核心维度，对情感的非言语表现进行评估。
研究结果显示，外部观察者可依据个体肢体呈现的效价与支配度，可靠地识别并区分不同的自我状态。但仅通过呈现的唤醒度来区分自我状态的能力则未显现出显著性。
值得注意的是，各类自我状态的可区分性并非局限于特定个体，而是覆盖了全部录制样本。因此，在自我状态构形法的框架下，可以明确：个体的自我状态可被有意识地诱发，且这类状态可脱离来访者的主观体验，被客观地区分出来。