…do you think children are actually born separated into self states? because the more i think about it, the more i feel like it's a bit strange to say so. children do experience emotions pretty vastly, and seem to "switch" between these feelings, but how is that not different than humans who are outwardly emotional?
i have a slowly developing theory that did/osdd comes from a child forming agents to dissociate ones self into pieces and protect themselves, but one isn't inherently separate pieces from the beginning, and to say that one integrates as a child just... how can we be sure that these "self states" aren't just aspects of a singular identity, like how one has a work self or home self or party self.
if they are separate, why arent our work selves or home selves or party selves treated as separately in similar ways? why do we designate this to children/babies exclusively? what is, truly, the difference between a childs self states and the aspects of a singular identity seen in singlets? is there a study that shows a difference?
I do believe there are studies showing that kids are more likely to view themselves as separate people in different situations than adults. But I do think this only shows part of the story.
And I actually don't think your theory is too far off from the Theory of Structural Dissociation. From DID-research:
The newer theory of how alters are created is that of structural dissociation. According to this theory, alters are created when no existing parts can integrate new materials (e.g., memories, strong emotions, perceptions, attachment styles) because these materials are too threatening or are perceived as conflicting too strongly with what is already held. Over time, these materials are used together often enough that they integrate into a new self state.
The theory is not that alters are existing self-states but that, because the child doesn't possess an integrated personality during this age range, it's easy for these new experiences that can't integrate into the child's self-concept to form into new self-states.
I hope you don't mind me going on a bit of rant myself...
To be honest... I don't think that babies are born with an identity at all. I think we're born... null. We start developing our self or our selves around the age of six months, as we start recognizing other agent. We see people, recognize them as such, and our brain's begin assigning thoughts to them. Then our brains do the same for our selves.
And it's generally believed that we only develop true self-awareness at about the age of 2. Which is probably why trauma before that age doesn't cause DID.
After 2, you really start being aware of external agents and yourself. And I believe your awareness of others and your ability to empathize is directly connected to your own sense of self, using the same or related mechanisms in the brain.
From what I'm aware of my host's memories, I don't think my host ever actually saw himself as separate people as a child. I think this could still be something that commonly happens, with more distinct states and a less cohesive sense of self being possible, but I don't really agree with the idea of it being an absolute experienced by all children.
Another thing I take into account are the "illusory social agents" children talk to. Referred to as imaginary companions. While the majority of children have imaginary companions in childhood, most are gone around the age of 8. (Which also correlates with the cut-off age of when DID is generally believed to form.)
While DID has traditionally been linked to having vivid imaginary companions, I haven't seen anyone actually link this phenomenon to a child's multiple self-states, which I think might be a mistake as both of these could be considered plural or pseudo-plural experiences.
(Disclaimer: not all imaginary companions are plurality. Only those with agency and self-awareness. An imaginary friend completely controlled by the child isn't a headmate.)
The main thing though is that plural experiences are much more common in childhood, and then gradually dissipate as a child grows up and develops into a singlet. What's unclear as of right now is if singlethood is caused by biology or culture.
I, personally, come down on the side of singlethood being culturally-induced.
