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Authenticity and inauthenticity in narrative identity
Joshua A Wilt1, Sarah Thomas2, Dan P McAdams3
1Case Western Reserve University, USA.
Heliyon
|August 8, 2019
Summary
Exploring lived authenticity experiences, this study used a narrative identity approach. Findings reveal key dimensions of authenticity and inauthenticity, offering richer insights than self-report measures alone.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Self-reported authenticity correlates with well-being but may not fully capture lived experiences.
- Traditional self-report measures have limitations in assessing the nuanced nature of authenticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the lived experience of authenticity using a narrative identity approach.
- To identify dimensions of authenticity and inauthenticity through qualitative analysis of personal memories.
- To compare narrative insights with self-report measures of authenticity and related constructs.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: Thematic analysis of 87 undergraduates' memory descriptions (authentic, inauthentic, vivid emotional).
- Study 2: Coding of 103 undergraduates' authentic and inauthentic experience narratives.
- Correlational and factor extension analyses relating narrative themes to self-report scales (authenticity, autonomy, honesty, Machiavellianism).
Main Results:
- Five dimensions of authenticity identified: relational authenticity, resisting external pressures, true self expression, contentment, and owning actions.
- Four dimensions of inauthenticity identified: phoniness, suppression, self-denigration, and conformity.
- Narrative themes demonstrated convergent and discriminant validity when compared to self-report measures.
Conclusions:
- A narrative identity approach offers a richer understanding of authenticity beyond self-report limitations.
- Identified dimensions provide a framework for analyzing lived experiences of authenticity and inauthenticity.
- Findings support the utility of narrative methods for psychological research on authenticity.
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