Integral individuality as a scientific theory

Merlin considered integral individuality as scientific theory. He showed there were many traits with diverse origins. They varied from biochemical to socio-psychological. But their commonality was outside the focus. Merlin based his theory on new criteria. He accepted diversity and plurality of traits. At the same time, he attempted to overcome disunity by integrating them. First, “individuality” reveals unity of traits. Second, connections between traits complement their composition. Third, structure adds to composition. From this view, individual traits can coexist and function together despite diversity. The goal is to test this by integrating traits. Merlin’s approach allows solving this issue. Initial concepts are levels, polymorphism, mediation, and types of regularities. As a result, traits emerge across levels. Causal regularities manage connections within levels. Teleological regularities manage between-level connections. Polymorphic connections can change under mediation. All of this is a basis of the theory of integral individuality. It forms foundation for new field expanding personality and individual differences research. Paper outlines progress of Merlin’s theory and implications for practice. To summarize, Merlin’s theory brings a brief look.

integral individuality, scientific, theory, connections, levels, polymorphisms mediation, causal and teleological regularities