When a problem feels impossible, we often keep looking at it from the same angle. The wording changes, but the assumptions stay fixed: “I cannot do this,” “there is no other option,” or “this is simply how it works.” An exercise based on personal roles can temporarily widen the view. It does not produce a ready-made answer or guarantee success, but it can help when the usual search has become rigid.
Why changing perspective may help
A problem looks different depending on the role from which we approach it. A parent notices safety and long-term effects; a professional notices conditions and resources; a friend notices emotions; a neighbor notices practical constraints. Moving between these descriptions makes us hold several features of the situation at once and reduces the chance of treating the first explanation as the only one.
This is not about inventing a new personality or repeating positive affirmations. The exercise uses real parts of your biography that matter to you. Their purpose is to provide several entry points to a problem you already know. Start by stating the question precisely, then choose roles that are genuinely connected to your life.
Identity versus preference
An identity is a role or membership through which a person describes themselves: parent, student, engineer, neighbor, volunteer, citizen, or team member. A preference answers a different question: what you like or dislike. “I enjoy swimming” describes a preference, while “I coach a children’s group” creates a role with responsibilities and a different set of questions.
For this exercise, a role should be personally meaningful and specific enough to change your viewpoint. A formal label that has no effect on your behavior will add little. Ask: “What does this role mean to me, and what questions does it make me ask?” If no answer comes quickly, choose another role.
How to do the eight-role exercise
Choose one problem and write it as a single sentence. For example: “How can I finish the project after the deadline was shortened by a week?” or “How should I decide whether to continue this course?” Then create a list of roles and briefly explain each one:
- write down eight identities rather than personality traits;
- add one or two sentences about the meaning and responsibility of each role;
- read the original question again after completing the list;
- for every role, write at least one new question or possible action;
- separate ideas that can be tested safely within the next day.
You do not need to find eight perfect roles in one minute. Consider family relationships, work, age, place of residence, community membership, and experience as a customer or organizer. The value comes from genuinely different perspectives. If every role describes the same part of life, add another real role that introduces a useful contrast.
How to turn options into a decision
The exercise may produce more options, including impractical ones. Separate idea generation from evaluation. First collect possibilities without immediate criticism, then compare them using chosen criteria: benefit, time, cost, risk, and reversibility.
For each promising idea, ask three questions: what assumption does it rely on, what information is missing, and what is the smallest safe test? If the customer role suggests changing a service, begin with a short conversation with one customer rather than redesigning the whole product. A small test moves the idea from imagination toward a decision.
Note which role produced each option. This reveals a possible bias: if every idea came from the professional role, you may have missed the needs of a family member, user, or partner. Recheck the strongest option from one or two other roles and compare the consequences.
What the research shows and what it does not show
The method is linked to research by Sarah E. Gaither, Samantha P. Fan, and Katherine D. Kinzler. Across three experiments, children aged six to seven who considered their own multiple identities performed better on selected flexible-thinking and categorization tasks than children in control conditions. The effect depended on personal relevance: thinking about another child’s identities did not produce the same result.
The findings support a narrow conclusion about a short experimental effect in children. They do not prove that the exercise works equally well for adults, permanently changes intelligence, or improves performance by a fixed percentage. Duration and transfer to real-life decisions require further study. Treat the exercise as a way to broaden a search, not as a scientifically guaranteed route to the correct choice.
When not to rely on the exercise alone
Changing perspective may help with a study, work, or household problem, but it does not replace professional advice when the cost of error is high. For medical, legal, or financial decisions, establish the facts and constraints first and use a qualified professional to check the conclusion. A friend’s or parent’s perspective may reveal an important question, but it cannot replace a diagnosis, contract, or calculation.
If a problem brings intense anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or a feeling of hopelessness, do not turn the exercise into endless role switching. Set a time limit, write down one concrete next step, and seek support if you cannot move forward alone.
How to use the method in daily life
For a first attempt, ten to fifteen minutes and a sheet of paper are enough. Choose one question, list eight meaningful roles, explain each briefly, collect options, and test one with a small action. Review the result the next day: did you learn something new, did the choice change, and which assumptions were unnecessary?
If the exercise is useful, repeat it for different kinds of problems, but keep facts and feedback at the center. Cognitive flexibility is not the number of attractive ideas; it is the ability to see alternatives, choose criteria, and test a decision. Personal roles provide a starting point, while the quality of the outcome depends on evidence and what you do next.
Sources
The article is based on the following works:
- Thinking about multiple identities boosts children’s flexible thinking — Developmental Science.
- Thinking outside the box: Multiple identity mind-sets affect creative problem solving — Social Psychological and Personality Science.
