individual

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Definition

The notion of individual, or the individual, vs. the social, is a Kantian systems and cognitive psychology construct. In this view, the individual, a single human, is an autonomous self. This autonomous self has different attributes than multiple humans interacting, i.e. the social.

In the case of the Hegelian and relationship psychology view of thinking and communication there is no distinction between the individual and the social. There is no autonomous self. The individual is the singular of interdependent people while the social is the plural. Communication and thought are the same pattern of gesture-response whether between two bodies or role playing between 'I' and 'me' in a body's mind. (Stacey, 2007, pp 271 - 277).

See communication for a discussion of these two views related to communication.