Plural Information - General Plurality
Understanding Plurality
Are Plurals physically different than non-Plurals?
On the outside? No. You wouldn't be able to determine which person was Plural just by looking at them. Now for some 'on the inside' they may have an appearance very different than the physical body.
What are some different styles or categories of Plurality?
- disordered
- non-disordered
- natural
- healthy
- unhealthy
- empowered
- Soulbonders
- Walk-ins
- Gateways
- Median
- Tulpa
What is the difference between Multiplicity, Plurality, and DID?
There isn't much difference - they are connected. Some may use Plurality and Multiplicity interchangeably. Both terms usually mean 'more than one mind/presence/entity sharing a single physical body'. DID is a type of Plurality, it's on the Plural spectrum. The same as Median, Gateway, Soulbonder, and other types are also on the Plural spectrum.
How many members is it 'normal' to have? How many is considered few, and how many is considered many?
Based on a personal investigation of forum profiles of 116 groups, the average number was 12. With 39 groups having less than 5, and 13 with more than 20. There were also two systems with over 1000, they weren't included in those averages.
Where do you think the line is between headmate and imaginary friend? Is there even a line between the two concepts?
For some there may not be a difference. The terminology doesn't matter. Who is to say that a child's imaginary friend isn't actually a headmate? Many have grown to realize their imaginary friends were actually headmates all along. Children shouldn't be made to feel that talking to an 'invisible someone' is something to keep secret or that they will one day grow out of it.
Can an imaginary friend end up gradually developing into a headmate?
Yes. Either through becoming 'more real' or through acceptance of their presence.
What are the symptoms of Plurality (not the disordered view)?
Characteristics might be a better word. The characteristics are varied for every Group.
1. More than one person sharing a physical body
2. Being aware of presences other than your own
3. Ability to communicate with another who shares your body
4. More than one individual with the ability to control the body
Why is 'alter' considered offensive?
In the original definition of DID/MPD, an alter is considered only a fragment or piece of the 'real person' and not an individual or real themselves. It can be offensive to be referred to as only a partial or incomplete person, when many are fully developed individuals with their own memories, histories, range of emotions, and physical appearance.
Do Plurals consider their head-mates to be a part of them or separate entities?
It varies. Some groups are all connected in some way, either to the host or main fronter, or splits from one original person. Some groups consist of individuals who are quite separate from one another. It's always best to ask them if you're uncertain.
Is there a cure for being Plural?
Being Plural isn't an illness. It is a way of being or existing. The only 'cure' is for a Plural to pretend they are no longer Plural. Many do in fact hide themselves from others because it isn't a socially acceptable way to be.
Are Plurals more intelligent than non-Plurals?
There are varying intelligences among anyone. Plurals aren't any more or less intelligent than a Singlet. Though with many individuals around who have different skills, it could give an impression of higher overall intelligence - when it is actually many people working together.
Is there any way to tell if someone's faking Plurality?
No definite way, especially online. Time will tell. If someone is faking, after awhile they will find it difficult to pretend to be different identities, will lose track of their creative stories and grow tired of keeping it all going. Many new groups disappear from the radar within a year, not always meaning they were faking, of course. It's always best to assume they are Plural until proven otherwise.
When a grievance has occurred is Plurality a defense mechanism to shirk responsibility and not be accountable?
For some people this can be a way to escape responsibility. Yet it is also a characteristic of an unhealthy, immature, or disordered Plural group.
How do you know whether someone claiming to be Plural is actually Plural, or just using it as an excuse for their emotions? Like, for example, if someone has a massive anger problem, they could say they're Plural? Then it wouldn't be them who is at fault because they could claim it was their angry headmate/alter..
Give them the benefit of the doubt, and let time decide. As for blaming an alter in order not to take the blame, that is considered a big 'no' in the Plural community. Being responsible for the actions of one another in your group is part of being Plural. Certainly there will be those who do this, but some feel that sort of behavior is rather immature.
On the outside? No. You wouldn't be able to determine which person was Plural just by looking at them. Now for some 'on the inside' they may have an appearance very different than the physical body.
What are some different styles or categories of Plurality?
- disordered
- non-disordered
- natural
- healthy
- unhealthy
- empowered
- Soulbonders
- Walk-ins
- Gateways
- Median
- Tulpa
What is the difference between Multiplicity, Plurality, and DID?
There isn't much difference - they are connected. Some may use Plurality and Multiplicity interchangeably. Both terms usually mean 'more than one mind/presence/entity sharing a single physical body'. DID is a type of Plurality, it's on the Plural spectrum. The same as Median, Gateway, Soulbonder, and other types are also on the Plural spectrum.
How many members is it 'normal' to have? How many is considered few, and how many is considered many?
Based on a personal investigation of forum profiles of 116 groups, the average number was 12. With 39 groups having less than 5, and 13 with more than 20. There were also two systems with over 1000, they weren't included in those averages.
Where do you think the line is between headmate and imaginary friend? Is there even a line between the two concepts?
For some there may not be a difference. The terminology doesn't matter. Who is to say that a child's imaginary friend isn't actually a headmate? Many have grown to realize their imaginary friends were actually headmates all along. Children shouldn't be made to feel that talking to an 'invisible someone' is something to keep secret or that they will one day grow out of it.
Can an imaginary friend end up gradually developing into a headmate?
Yes. Either through becoming 'more real' or through acceptance of their presence.
What are the symptoms of Plurality (not the disordered view)?
Characteristics might be a better word. The characteristics are varied for every Group.
1. More than one person sharing a physical body
2. Being aware of presences other than your own
3. Ability to communicate with another who shares your body
4. More than one individual with the ability to control the body
Why is 'alter' considered offensive?
In the original definition of DID/MPD, an alter is considered only a fragment or piece of the 'real person' and not an individual or real themselves. It can be offensive to be referred to as only a partial or incomplete person, when many are fully developed individuals with their own memories, histories, range of emotions, and physical appearance.
Do Plurals consider their head-mates to be a part of them or separate entities?
It varies. Some groups are all connected in some way, either to the host or main fronter, or splits from one original person. Some groups consist of individuals who are quite separate from one another. It's always best to ask them if you're uncertain.
Is there a cure for being Plural?
Being Plural isn't an illness. It is a way of being or existing. The only 'cure' is for a Plural to pretend they are no longer Plural. Many do in fact hide themselves from others because it isn't a socially acceptable way to be.
Are Plurals more intelligent than non-Plurals?
There are varying intelligences among anyone. Plurals aren't any more or less intelligent than a Singlet. Though with many individuals around who have different skills, it could give an impression of higher overall intelligence - when it is actually many people working together.
Is there any way to tell if someone's faking Plurality?
No definite way, especially online. Time will tell. If someone is faking, after awhile they will find it difficult to pretend to be different identities, will lose track of their creative stories and grow tired of keeping it all going. Many new groups disappear from the radar within a year, not always meaning they were faking, of course. It's always best to assume they are Plural until proven otherwise.
When a grievance has occurred is Plurality a defense mechanism to shirk responsibility and not be accountable?
For some people this can be a way to escape responsibility. Yet it is also a characteristic of an unhealthy, immature, or disordered Plural group.
How do you know whether someone claiming to be Plural is actually Plural, or just using it as an excuse for their emotions? Like, for example, if someone has a massive anger problem, they could say they're Plural? Then it wouldn't be them who is at fault because they could claim it was their angry headmate/alter..
Give them the benefit of the doubt, and let time decide. As for blaming an alter in order not to take the blame, that is considered a big 'no' in the Plural community. Being responsible for the actions of one another in your group is part of being Plural. Certainly there will be those who do this, but some feel that sort of behavior is rather immature.
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