Women,Men, and Persons: A Response to "Feminist Perspectives on Erikson's Theory: Their Relevance for Contemporary Identity Development Research"

The search for the structure of identity formation is a necessary undertaking for the comprehension of identity, identity changes, and identity development. This article attempts to show that the identification of structure and structural stages of identity implies a movement away from the identity status model.We support and clarify our claim by discussing how Kroger's (this issue) definition of the concepts of structure and structural stages in relation to the identity status model leads to serious restrictions in these concepts. The concept of structural integration is introduced as an alternative interpretation and definition of the structure of identity formation. The definition and theoretical implications of the concept of structural integration are clarified and related to other recent conceptual and empirical analyses of identity theory and research.We then go on to show how the concept of structural integration can be studied in empirical research.     

Occupational Wellness: The Integration of Career Identity and Personal Identity

Historically, career and vocational counseling have served as cornerstones to the counseling profession. Still, there are several survey studies that indicate that interest in career counseling among counseling professionals has eroded. Conversely, there has been an overwhelming response from counselors to the idea of wellness. The intent of this article is to encourage practicing counselors and researchers to consider career development as a key ingredient in the conceptualization of wellness. Furthermore, it is imperative that we begin to assist clients in achieving this aspect of occupational wellness through the integration of career identity and personal identity.     

The Influence of Social Identity and Intimacy of Interethnic Relationships on Uncertainty Reduction Processes

This study examined the influence of social identity and the intimacy of relationships on uncertainty reduction processes in interethnic relationships. Data from two samples (Hispanics in the Midwest and Caucasians in the Southwest) were used to test hypotheses derived from social identity theory (e.g., Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and theories of relationship development (e.g., Altman & Taylor, 1973). Results for both samples revealed that social identity has a significant positive effect on uncertainty reduction processes. This effect, however, was moderated by prototypicality; that is, it occurred in relationships where the partner was viewed as “typical,” but not in relationships where the partner was viewed as “atypical.” When controlling for the partner's ethnicity in the Caucasian analysis, social identity had a significant effect on communication with black partners, but not with Mexican-American partners. This finding was explained by status characteristic theory (e.g., Berger & Zelditch, 1985). The intimacy of interethnic relationship also accounted for a significant portion of the variance. The effect for intimacy was manifested in relationships where the partner was viewed as typical, as well as when the partner was viewed as atypical. The results are consistent with social identity theory and recent work linking it with uncertainty reduction theory, as well as with theories of relationship development.     

Identity, the Identity Statuses, and Identity Status Development: A Contemporary Statement

The Utrecht Study of Adolescent Development (Meeus et al., this issue) provides new data pertinent to issues of identity formation addressed in earlier reviews of the literature, specifically, (a) the direction and timing of identity status development, (b) the relative stability of the identity statuses, and (c) gender differences in identity formation. Despite numerous differences from earlier studies in the samples studied, the instruments used, and the methodologies employed, the findings of the Utrecht study are generally quite consistent with theoretical expectations and previous research outcomes. Because of the size and scope of the Utrecht study, data on possible age differences in the frequency of specific patterns of intraindividual identity status change could be analyzed. This aspect of identity formation had not been previously investigated. Equivocal results were obtained. Possible explanations for the partial failure to confirm this aspect of developmental theory are discussed.     

The Dynamics of Emotions and Life Cycle Identity

Emotions are discussed as organizers and motivators in the dynamics of identity across the life span. Discrete emotions, functionalist, and dynamic systems approaches to emotion development are applied to issues of change and continuity in identity, considered within Erikson's psychosocial model of lifespan development (Erikson, 1963). The contributions of emotion to both identity-relevant processes (ex-ploration and commitment) and outcomes (the identity statuses of achievement, moratorium, foreclosure, and diffusion) are discussed. Two main premises guide this discussion. One is that individual differences in emotion help to identify paths along the trajectory of identity emergence, consolidation, and change. Another is that psychosocial transition phases, as marked by Eriksonian theory, are likely to be times of maximal influence between developments in the emotion system and psychosocial identity. A review of emotion development is presented that argues for the continued vitality of the emotion system throughout adulthood and that highlights the importance of negative emotion. As well, suggestions are offered for linking emotion development to adulthood identity stability and change. Excerpts from a biographical case study of Ingmar Bergman (Lahr, 1999) are presented as illustrative examples in the concluding sections.     

Identity theory and personality theory: mutual relevance

Some personality psychologists have found a structural symbolic interactionist frame and identity theory relevant to their work. This frame and theory, developed in sociology, are first reviewed. Emphasized in the review are a multiple identity conception of self, identities as internalized expectations derived from roles embedded in organized networks of social interaction, and a view of social structures as facilitators in bringing people into networks or constraints in keeping them out, subsequently, attention turns to a discussion of the mutual relevance of structural symbolic interactionism/identity theory and personality theory, looking to extensions of the current literature on these topics.     

Identity maintenance in the affectively distant patient

Patients who are affectively distant, in that they appear to have little conscious emotional investment in the analyst, have been described increasingly in the psychoanalytic literature of the last twenty years. Typically, they have been understood either from a developmental point of view as defensively struggling against wishes for symbiotic union or, on the Kleinian model, as having unconscious fantasies of bodily fusion with the mother that, upon separation from her, result in annihilation anxiety that generates autistic defenses. Of special importance is the work of Heinz Lichtenstein, who stresses early identity maintenance and the role of mirroring experiences with the mother in the development of an "identity theme." This concept is used here as a symbiotic precursor of ego identity that ties the self to a particular mother. It is this primitive form of identity that can occasion regressive self-definition in the transference of the affectively distant patient. Two cases are presented that illustrate dynamics and transference dispositions occurring in the psychoanalysis of these patients. The discussion focuses on the role of the patient's catastrophic fear of acceptance, as well as on the consequent need for self-protective measures. It is argued that careful and consistent analysis of these conflicted areas of these patients' transference leads toward greater integration of their identity and personality.     

身份凸显性：启动自我的开关

当意识到自己特定的身份时, 个人往往在这个身份的框架内来感知周围的世界。身份凸显性指特定身份在社会情境中启动的可能性。相关研究者分别从人格, 自我归类和社会建构的角度来认识身份凸显性, 它与自我概念整合存在紧密关系。身份凸显性的影响因素主要包括：身份承诺水平, 情绪, 群体规模和地位, 以及情境中相关线索的优势水平。另外, 阐述了几个抑制或干扰身份凸显性的策略：去类别化、再类别化和次类别化。未来研究需关注不同水平身份如何相互作用, 自我概念整合, 从社会构建的角度探索抑制或干扰身份凸显性的策略, 以及跨文化研究。     

Identity Development and Integration of Religious Identities in Gender and Sexual Minority Emerging Adults

Gender and sexual minority (GSM) individuals have been neglected in emerging adulthood research. Further research is needed to understand the seemingly contradictory religious and GSM identities of emerging adults. This study looks at the associations of identity development and identity integration with religious and GSM group activities and well‐being. Identity visibility (outness) is associated with increases in GSM group activity and well‐being. Religious group activity is also associated with increases in well‐being. Religious group activity mediates the relationship between identity integration and well‐being. Implications for practitioners working with GSM individuals dealing with issues of identity integration are discussed.     

Binge Eating As a Means for Evading Identity Issues: The Association Between an Avoidance Identity Style and Bulimic Behavior

In this article, we compare two theoretical models pertaining to the development and maintenance of bulimic behavior to examine the association between bulimia and identity in young female adults. Escape theory posits that binge eating is an unintended result of escaping the self, or the avoidance of thinking about identity issues. In contrast, functional theory proposes that binge eating is more likely a predictor of, and possibly a mechanism for, avoiding self-identity issues. Questionnaires designed to measure 6 social-cognitive variables, including depression and a diffuse-avoidance identity processing orientation, were completed by 193 female university students. Linear structural equations revealed more support for the view of bulimia as functional or purposeful. Bulimic behavior predicted the avoidance of identity issues rather than the converse. Implications of the link between bulimia and identity are discussed.     

Interdependence in Ethnic Identity and Self: Implications for Theory and Practice

This article broadens the conceptual framework of ethnic identity theory by integrating an interdependent perspective of self into counseling theory and practice. An extensive review of ethnic identity theory is presented with a focus on the literature emphasizing the relational and cultural context in the development of self. A dynamic, situationally based theory of ethnic identity is presented, and implications for counseling from an interdependent perspective are discussed.     

Relative Deprivation and Social Identity in Times of Dramatic Social Change: The Case of Nurses1

In the present study, an integration of relative deprivation theory and social identity theory is proposed to account for people's reactions to dramatic changes affecting their daily lives. Data collected among nurses (n = 108) indicate that feelings of relative deprivation are influenced by different perceptions of organizational change. Path analysis shows that feelings of social relative deprivation derive from negative changes that are numerous, and that temporal relative deprivation is experienced as a result of negative changes that are rapid. In terms of the link between social identity and relative deprivation, 2 contrasting approaches were tested. Analyses support the view that in‐group identification acts as a precursor, rather than as a consequence, of relative deprivation.     

同性恋认同发展的理论模型述评

本质论取向的阶段模型和社会建构论取向的影响因素模型是早期的同性恋认同发展理论,两者对性倾向是否为人类的本质属性产生了激烈的争论。当代发展心理学从生态化理论、毕生发展观、生命历程观出发试图对这两种研究取向进行整合,并提出了相应的模型。未来的研究应该注意同性恋认同发展多样性的特点,正确理解对外暴露在认同发展中的作用,并把纵向研究作为以后的研究方向。最后,提出了中国同性恋认同的特点和本土化研究的假设     

From Social to Political Identity: A Critical Examination of Social Identity Theory

Interest in the concept of identity has grown exponentially within both the humanities and social sciences, but the discussion of identity has had less impact than might be expected on the quantitative study of political behavior in general and on political psychology more specifically. One of the approaches that holds the most promise for political psychologists is social identity theory, as reflected in the thinking of Henri Tajfel, John Turner, and colleagues. Although the theory addresses the kinds of problems of interest to political psychologists, it has had limited impact on political psychology because of social identity theorists' disinclination to examine the sources of social identity in a real world complicated by history and culture. In this review, four key issues are examined that hinder the successful application of social identity theory to political phenomena. These key issues are the existence of identity choice, the subjective meaning of identities, gradations in identity strength, and the considerable stability of many social and political identities.     

Trajectories of Cultural Identity Development of Young Immigrant People: The Impact of Family Practices

Drawing on socio-cultural and social representations theory this paper explores processes of cultural identity development in immigrant young people. Empirical data (that draws on the analysis of data from a much larger three-year research project) on experiences of Portuguese young people living in England, including the perspectives of their parents and teachers, is selectively used. Examples are used to explore processes of identity development through engagement in (i) situated activities (the doings), and (ii) symbolic activities (the meanings). It is argued that these activities involve complementary processes of mediation, which influence trajectories of identity development. This analytical distinction serves to illustrate that, for example, the situated activity of a young person translating for the family, on the one hand, involves the use of similar socio-cognitive resources as mediators (for instance, competency in the English and Portuguese language). On the other hand, translating as a symbolic activity, exposes different meanings of being Portuguese, which are used as resources in mediating cultural identity development. We explore how these different meanings are impacted by identities extended to the young person by significant others in relation to engagement with family practices.     

Identity,Culture and Contestation: Social Identity as Cross-Cultural Theory

In this paper we explore the logic and implications of the social identity approach to group processes. The theory argues that the consequences of social identification for behaviour are not simple givens. Rather than making generalisations about the behaviour that flows from social identification, the theory makes the point that behaviour depends upon the way in which identities are defined. This emphasis upon the contents of social identities draws our attention to their construction and we pay particular attention to how group identities are made and remade in and through argument and social practice. We argue that attention to the dynamics of identity construction means that this perspective is respectful of culture and cultural difference and that the social identity approach therefore has considerable value in exploring the politics and practice of identity wherever group behaviour may be found. Moreover, we argue that the ubiquity of identity-related argument across cultures and contexts reflects the fact that group identity is a basis for social power.     

The Development of Identity. A Critical Analysis from the Perspective of the Self as Subject

In this paper an argument is presented, suggesting that the concept of identity articulated by Erikson and reflected in ordinary pretheoretical understanding includes, as a central feature, a special experience of self, namely, the experience of a unified psychological "essence," from which superficial characteristics of the person are differentiated. However, as is shown through a close analysis of various identity measures, this subjective experiential aspect is typically neglected in identity research, including the many studies that were guided by the identity status paradigm. A new approach is then presented, aimed at recapturing the subjective meaning of identity, by viewing identity as a modality of the self as subject and as characterized by specific experiences of agency, unity, otherness, and individuality. In an effort to empirically ground this approach, a typology of identity experience, derived from Loevinger′s ego development stages, is described. Several studies are then reviewed, that confirm the viability of this typology and illustrate the advantages of studying identity from the perspective of the self as subject.     

Reaching Across the DMZ: Identity Uncertainty and Reunification on the Korean Peninsula

Drawing on uncertainty‐identity theory (Hogg, 2012), we explore the effects of uncertainty concerning a specific social identity on group identification and attitudes toward subgroup integration and separation in South Koreans' nested identity context (N = 148). All variables were measured. Path analysis revealed, as predicted, that superordinate identity uncertainty weakened superordinate identification and subgroup identity uncertainty weakened subgroup identification. We also found that subgroup identity uncertainty strengthened superordinate identification. This effect was stronger for those who perceived their superordinate group prototype and subgroup prototype to be distinct and nonoverlapping. Furthermore, superordinate identity uncertainty decreased reunification intentions by weakening superordinate identification. Subgroup identity uncertainty increased reunification intentions by strengthening superordinate identification only for those who perceived their superordinate group prototype and subgroup prototype to be distinct and nonoverlapping. Implications for uncertainty identity theory and intergroup relations are discussed.