cognitive-affective forms like 'me' and 'her' function as distinct operational modes within a unified system.

each form possesses a template of characteristic cognitions, affects, and memories. dedicated activation nodes for each schema and widespread inhibitory networks ensure one form's clear expression by dampening others.

a shared binding substrate provides the continuous operational medium, integrating the active schema's outputs into a coherent experiential stream.

transitions use a threshold-sensitive gateway mechanism responding to specific convergent inputs, either internal state configurations or recognized external signals. activation initiates rapid shift: the currently dominant node suppresses, the target node potentiates, and its corresponding schema populates the binding substrate.

relational dynamics involve competition between activation nodes, modulated by metacognitive oversight maintaining system integrity.

selfhood belongs to the currently instantiated form, a dynamic labeling of active operational control.