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Identity theory and personality theory: mutual relevance
1Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. stryker@indiana.edu
Journal of Personality
|November 13, 2007
Summary
Structural symbolic interactionism and identity theory offer valuable insights for personality psychology. This review explores how concepts like multiple identities and social structures enhance our understanding of personality development and social roles.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Sociology
- Personality Theory
Background:
- Personality psychology is increasingly finding sociological frameworks relevant.
- Structural symbolic interactionism and identity theory provide a lens for understanding self and social structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review structural symbolic interactionism and identity theory.
- To discuss the mutual relevance of these sociological theories to personality psychology.
- To identify extensions for current literature on personality and social interaction.
Main Methods:
- Review of sociological literature on structural symbolic interactionism and identity theory.
- Analysis of key concepts: multiple identities, role-embedded expectations, social network structures.
- Discussion of theoretical integration between sociology and personality psychology.
Main Results:
- Identified a multiple identity conception of self.
- Defined identities as internalized expectations from social roles within interaction networks.
- Highlighted social structures' role in facilitating or constraining social network participation.
Conclusions:
- Structural symbolic interactionism and identity theory offer significant contributions to personality psychology.
- These frameworks can extend current understandings of self-concept, identity formation, and social influences on personality.
- Further research can explore the integration of these sociological perspectives into personality theory.
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