Explained: Self-Expansion Theory, And How Travel Makes It Possible

Travelling changes us. Going to a new place involves embracing an open mindset as we encounter different cultures, a diverse set of people, new languages and interesting food. This change influences aspects of our behaviour too, making us more helpful and generous if we see positive behaviour in action due to the presence of mirror neurons, which activate both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else do so.

This growth in our character and behaviour is encapsulated by a psychological construct called self-expansion theory, a term that has recently become popular on the internet. The concept entails that people are motivated to expand their sense of self when they incorporate new experiences, new perspectives and new challenges.

Self-Expansion Theory: Growing Together And Alone

The self-expansion model was developed in 1986 by psychologists Arthur Aron and Elaine Aron to provide a framework for the underlying experience and behaviour in close relationships. It originated as a way to explain growth in romantic partnerships, such as when a person incorporates their partner’s dialect and language into their own speech, says Shevantika Nanda, a cognitive neuropsychologist based in Gurugram, Haryana.

But, true to its name, the model goes beyond romantic relationships, emphasising connections of all kinds, such as friendships and parent-child relationships. “It’s essentially based in new experiences and new information entering the realm of consciousness that helps the individual grow,” Nanda says.

It comes as no surprise then that self-expansion theory takes on a practical nature when we go travelling. Their intersection “is very obvious,” Nanda says, because as we go to a new place, speak a new language and eat new food, “we are trying, we are growing, we are expanding [and] we are broadening our perspective.”

Participating in new shared experiences when we are travelling with company undoubtedly deepens the level of bonding between people. But, self-expansion also occurs if you’re a solo traveller.

“If you’re travelling alone, that idea of self-expansion may happen through navigating difficult situations in a new place, it could be navigating language barriers, it could be navigating new territory, terrain, anything,” Nanda says.

“You may stay in a hostel where new relationships are formed, which helps with self-expansion. You are having new experiences, broadening your perspective through those experiences and the new information that is entering. [These] new experiences are [the] fuel in building more positive emotions, and even from a neuropsychological perspective, new experiences build new neural networks and capitalise on neuroplasticity. So, travel is a really great way to have those new experiences.”

How To Manage Nerves And Anxiety On A Holiday

Following her own advice, Nanda likes to have a trip planned a few months in advance so that she has something to keep looking forward to—advice she shares with her clients as well.

“I used to travel a lot but am now limited to four trips a year because I have a young child. It’s always good to have a few trips planned out in the year because they sort of give you something to look forward to, and that really helps with the mental health point of view as well,” she says.

While travel is exciting and fun, getting out of our comfort zone can be challenging and scary, while negative incidents can colour our emotions about the holiday. Nanda says that it is “a natural thing to be a little nervous, but I think the best thing to do is to actually normalise it and maybe identify a couple of easy things to do that you know you will enjoy,” suggesting ideas like a walking tour on the first day of the holiday to help travellers feel more familiar with the place.

Shevantika Nanda's Top Places To Visit For Your Next Holiday

• Kashmir is my favourite place in India because it offers something very, very different in the season you go. The summers are nice and chill with hill station vibes, whereas winters are ideal for skiing, which I do every year.

• Internationally, Spain has definitely been one of my most favourite countries I have been to just because it offers such a wide variety of things and experiences you can do. And the food is great.

• I like travelling a lot in Asia as well because I think that you get a lot more bang for your buck. My next trip is planned to Singapore in September.