Psychology of borders: An integral proposal to understand border phenomena in human life

Abstract

This introduction aims to present a comprehensive proposal for studying border phenomena in human life that emerges from the contributions that compose this special issue. This theoretical proposal attempts to include the psychological dimension of border phenomenon, an aspect that has not been fully considered in the field of border studies so far. To this end, we first present the border concept from a cultural psychology point of view. Then we discuss the articles that compose this special issue and their implications for understanding border phenomena in human psychological functioning. These articles explore the border notion in its semiotic, discursive, and dialogic dimension. They also help with understanding the impact of the border on identity formation and negotiation as well as the diverse daily border practices that shape the human mind. Finally, we present the main conclusions drawn from this theoretical elaboration and propose new challenges to continue investigating the relationship between psychology and borders.

Moving up the stream beyond resistance to counter move

“…Leading us to the mereotopology, a complex field focusing on the generation and visualization of borders (Smith, 1996). The Gestalt of borders in general is clearly of a fluid and dynamic nature 4 , depending on the complex network process of the human observer-shaping the subjective meaning of the borders into a pseudo-objective reality-(Español & Marsico, 2021; Nugin & Palang, 2021; Tateo & Marsico, 2021). This can be visualized by the carp swimming in water against the stream, both constantly in movement, changing from one moment to another their form once stronger against each other and another time gliding in certain co-existence-nearly effortless passing-.…”

“…So that boundaries/borders are defining the inside and outside—the topology of the physical reality, enable the humankind to define how constituent fragments are interrelated or arranged-the way in which they have been perceived-(O’Byrne, 2001). A process that is needed in psychology allowing a rethinking by admitting that borders in the meaning-making are equal to the glue that allow the whole to exist in its entity (Valsiner, 2016; Español et al, 2019; Español & Marsico, 2021).…”

Analysing Social Determinants in Higher Education: A Bibliometric Perspective

“…The social environment is an inseparable dimension of human life (Español & Marsico, 2021;Van Egmond & de Vries, 2011). Humans, as social creatures, live in complex interactions with others.…”