Rationality and Self–Other Orientation in Psychiatric Disorders

This chapter articulates the intricate interplay between rationality, emotional engagement, and self–other orientation, highlighting their relevance to psychiatric disorders. Rationality plays a crucial role in daily life; however, emotional engagement is equally vital for socialization and interpersonal connections, which can foster psychosocial well-being. Moreover, recent research has highlighted the pivotal functioning of self–other orientation in adaptive social behaviors. First, human decision-making is examined, spanning from rational to emotional reasoning. This process encompasses selfish and altruistic motives, such as fairness preference and parochial altruism. Next, the concept of self–other orientation across perceptual and cognitive domains is explored, which involves a flexible balance between egocentric and altercentric perspectives. Subsequently, self–other orientation is discussed in psychiatric conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, social anxiety, schizophrenia, and addiction, with each disorder displaying unique patterns in terms of selfishness and selflessness. These variations and extremes in self–other orientation can manifest as alterations in social cognition, social attunement, and empathic comprehension. In this context, the relationship between self–other orientation and psychiatric disorders is multifaceted and is influenced by environmental, genetic, and neurological factors. Additional studies on these dynamics can provide valuable insights into human behavior and enhance our understanding of the psychopathology of these disorders. Consequently, investigation into the role of flexible self–other dynamics, alongside rational and emotional mindsets, holds a promise for improving subjective and intersubjective well-being. A better understanding of the relationships between self–other orientation, psychiatric disorders, and the interplay of rationality and emotionality has educational and social implications.