Part 14/16:
Recognizing these subsystems as "micro-personalities" broadens understanding of psychological states and emotional dysregulation. For example, addiction can be seen as the dominance of a particular motivational subsystem—such as craving or dependence—manifesting as a personality fragment that rationalizes substance use. Alcoholic personalities, for instance, often include a set of rationalizations and deception that serve the addiction's goals.
Similarly, the internal conflict among subsystems explains why individuals sometimes act against their best interests or experience emotional turmoil. Emotions are regained as signals of progress or threat within these subsystems, guiding adaptive or maladaptive behaviors.