The Dialogical Self Theory model represents a fruitful perspective to make sense of self development within a dynamic perspective. Thanks to the inspiring ideas of Bakhtin and William James, the theoretical elaborations by Hermans of a dialogical self (DS) stands out as a promising approach to investigate the co-construction processes of self construction and development. Based on Hermans' ideas, we conceive the DS as a complex system where multiple I-positions engage in permanent dialogues along ontogeny. Here we present a theoretical contribution highlighting the major role played by complex and interacting sociocultural factors—diverse cultural practices and beliefs—and affect-laden experiences in self co-construction. The concept of values is particularly stressed as an organizing field (Valsiner, 2007) for self-development. The argument is illustrated with the narrative of a homosexual 25 years-old woman who struggled with different, and apparently contradictory, I-positions. Strong Catholic and family values interact with her homosexual experiences, and such internal dialogues, in interaction with her lived-through experiences within specific sociocultural contexts, give rise to a significant Missionary I-position within the gay community.
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