Self-Other as contrasting identifications

Yes, "self-other overlap" or "inclusion of the other in the self" describes the degree of cognitive identification with another person, spanning empathy levels from mild perspective-taking to intense merging experiences. This concept captures blurred boundaries between self and other, contrasting with antipathy's separation.

Core Concept: Self-other overlap refers to a perceptual shift where the self and another become cognitively merged, often triggered by empathy or closeness. Researchers like Aron et al. measure it via diagrams showing circles overlapping from none to complete fusion. In empathy research, higher overlap correlates with prosocial behavior, as one's needs align with the other's. academic.oup+5?

Relation to Empathy: Cognitive empathy involves perspective-taking, a lower degree of identification, while affective empathy can lead to deeper overlap via shared representations. Degrees range from understanding emotions intellectually to feeling them as one's own, measured by scales like IRI's Perspective Taking subscale. This aligns with stages in empathy processes, from identification to separation. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih+4?

Existential Contexts: Intense overlap appears in intercourse as existential merging, akin to phenomenological "projection" or "fusion" in intimate acts. In relationships, "emotional fusion" or "enmeshment" denotes extreme degrees, blurring autonomy. These echo self-expansion theory, where partners incorporate each other's identities. wikipedia+4?

Contrast to Antipathy: Antipathy maintains or heightens self-other distinction, fostering separation rather than overlap. Empathy scales contrast high identification (e.g., sympathy) with low or negative (apathy/antipathy). Overlap thus scales positively against antipathic distancing. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih+3?

Self-other overlap is a key term in both psychology and philosophy for describing cognitive merging between self and other. Psychology uses it to denote degrees of identification in empathy, while philosophy explores it through intersubjectivity and fusion concepts. These terms highlight blurred boundaries, contrasting with separation in antipathy.

Psychological Terms: Self-other overlap captures the extent to which one's mental representations include another's, often measured by the Inclusion of Other in the Self (IOS) Scale. Related concepts include "self-other merging," central to empathy models like the Perception-Action Model (PAM), distinguishing neural overlap from subjective resonance. "Cognitive fusion" describes rigid identification with others' perspectives in relational contexts, while "enmeshment" signals excessive boundary blurring in attachments. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih+3?

Philosophical Terms: Intersubjectivity, from phenomenology (Husserl, Merleau-Ponty), refers to shared consciousness where self and other co-constitute experience. Fusion or "participation" in mystical or existential thought (e.g., Buber’s I-Thou relation) denotes profound unity, akin to intercourse experiences. Self-expansion (Aron) philosophically extends to relational ontology, viewing identity as porous through overlap. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih+2?

Key Distinctions:

Self-other overlap applies to pets through owners' psychological integration of animals into their self-concept, fostering empathy and attachment akin to human bonds. This manifests as perceiving pets' needs as one's own, enhancing well-being but risking enmeshment. Research shows it boosts social support and inclusivity.

sychological Application: People experience "plant attachment" through positive attitudes like joy and aesthetics, linking to moral expansiveness and nature connectedness. Self-other blurring emerges in horticultural therapy, where nurturing plants expands self-boundaries, reducing stress. Unlike pets' bidirectional bonds, plant overlap is unidirectional but builds compassion via perceived vitality. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih+1?

Philosophical Dimensions: Concepts like "ecological self" (Naess) extend identity to include plants and ecosystems, blurring anthropocentric lines. Phenomenological intersubjectivity adapts to "plant-being," fostering oneness in mindfulness practices. This aligns with self-expansion, where caring for plants incorporates their growth into one's narrative. nph.onlinelibrary.wiley+1?

Self-other overlap extends to natural features like rivers, mountains, and special rocks through concepts of ecological identity and bioregional belonging. This involves cognitive incorporation of landscape elements into one's sense of self, fostering stewardship over exploitation. The intensity varies by personal, cultural, and experiential factors.