TY - JOUR
T1 - Beyond chaos and rigidity, flexstability
AU - Ravn, Ib
PY - 2022/8
Y1 - 2022/8
N2 - Chaos and rigidity are often used to describe problematic psychological states. If they are to be avoided, how does one conceive of a normative alternative? A midway compromise between chaos and rigidity seems unsatisfactory. This paper proposes that underlying chaos and rigidity are two dimensions of healthy human experience, those of stability (focus, routine, unity) and flexibility (exploration, novelty, diversity). Their union is possible, the optimal state of “flexstability”, a state in which individuals experience flexibility and stability simultaneously. Chaos can be now understood as flexibility without stability, and rigidity as stability without flexibility. These concepts may be arranged in a two-by-two “flexstability matrix” that suggests that normative psychological development navigates the extremes of chaos and rigidity and pursues the state of flexstability. The concepts of the matrix are applied to seven research areas in psychology: parenting styles, identity formation, development of mind, flow, creativity, emotional regulation and self-determination.
AB - Chaos and rigidity are often used to describe problematic psychological states. If they are to be avoided, how does one conceive of a normative alternative? A midway compromise between chaos and rigidity seems unsatisfactory. This paper proposes that underlying chaos and rigidity are two dimensions of healthy human experience, those of stability (focus, routine, unity) and flexibility (exploration, novelty, diversity). Their union is possible, the optimal state of “flexstability”, a state in which individuals experience flexibility and stability simultaneously. Chaos can be now understood as flexibility without stability, and rigidity as stability without flexibility. These concepts may be arranged in a two-by-two “flexstability matrix” that suggests that normative psychological development navigates the extremes of chaos and rigidity and pursues the state of flexstability. The concepts of the matrix are applied to seven research areas in psychology: parenting styles, identity formation, development of mind, flow, creativity, emotional regulation and self-determination.
KW - Both-and
KW - Chaos
KW - Flexibility
KW - Flexstability
KW - Form and process
KW - Human development
KW - Integration
KW - Maturation
KW - Psychological maturation
KW - Psychological modelling
KW - Rigidity
KW - Stability
KW - Synthesis
KW - Wholeness
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85129106201&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.newideapsych.2022.100948
DO - 10.1016/j.newideapsych.2022.100948
M3 - Journal article
SN - 0732-118X
VL - 66
JO - New Ideas in Psychology
JF - New Ideas in Psychology
M1 - 100948
ER -