Plurality

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Plurality is the state of having multiple headmates collectively sharing a single body. A group of headmates is called a system. Plural experiences are extremely diverse. Systems may be spiritual in nature or secular, median or partitionary, small systems or ones with thousands of headmates.

Headmates are generally assumed to have their own unique personality. They often have their own names, pronouns, goals, and preferences.

Referring to the system they belong to is often done using plural pronouns like we, us, them, and they, although it is best to ask. They may want to be seen as an individual, a part of a whole, an accompaniment to the core or host, or any other state of selfhood. Plurality comes in many forms.

The term was introduced as early as 2001.

Causes
Plurality has many causes. This can include:
 * Traumagenic systems, resulting from a traumatic event or post-traumatic stress.
 * Systems created through tulpamancy or other explicit acts.
 * Spiritual systems who chalk up their plurality to metaphysical reasons.
 * Other causes, which can be grouped under the umbrella term endogenic.
 * Mixed-origin systems, which have been created from a combination of causes.

Symbols
The plural rings were created by Tracee of ouregaiya and/or Iris of Astraea in October 2011 and was spread through Email and Livejournal.

The ampersand was adopted by the community, and some systems prefer to be referred to as you& or similarly use ampersands in reference to themselves.

The treblesand was created anonymously and for the use of anyone under the plural umbrella.

Related Terms
Multiplicity is a synonym of plurality, and are often used interchangeably. Plural is an umbrella term for all kinds of experiences as well — so much so that the wiki itself is named using it. Comparatively, a singlet refers to someone who is not plural. Not to be confused with singletsona.

History
The term "multiplicity" has been used in psychiatric context since at least 1982, together with "multiple personality". The terms "double consciousness", "vigilambulism" (or daytime somnambulism), and "plural states of being" present earlier descriptors of the concept in psychological circles.