Abstract
The concept of otherness is as complex as vague. Generally, it can be defined as a relationship between sameness and difference.
As 19th-century philosophy and psychoanalysis showed, otherness is not only attributed to other cultures or persons; it is also an essential part of one's self and identity. However, diverse disciplines, such as psychology, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, draw upon various definitions and approach otherness differently.
The suggested hierarchical model tries to abstract these diverse views and take inspiration from, e.g., Hall's zones of interpersonal distance, Bogardus' theory of social distance, Waldenfels' philosophy, and Hogg's Uncertainty-Identity Theory. It is assumed that each level of otherness imposes demands on individuals.
Coping with these urges on one level serves as a basis for coping on higher levels. The core of the hierarchical model consists of one's psychic home and inner otherness (i.e., unconsciousness, identity) and otherness of one's own body.
On the next level lays the otherness of close and familiar others. On the third level, there are distant and unfamiliar others, and on the last level, the otherness of excluded others lies.
The model was constructed with the idea that xenophobia and xenophilia are only extreme forms of relating to otherness. And to address current social issues, it seems to be essential to take into account the whole complexity of otherness.