Changes

[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]][[Image:Identity_project.jpg|right|frame|<center>[http://fractalontology.wordpress.com/2007/08/26/identity-and-division/ Identity and Division]</center>]]

[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]][[Image:Identity_2.jpg|right|frame]]

'''Identity''' is an umbrella term used throughout the [[Social Sciences|social sciences]] to describe an individual's comprehension of him or herself as a discrete, separate entity. This term, though generic, can be further specified by the disciplines of [[psychology]] and [[sociology]], including the two forms of social psychology.

'''Identity''' is an umbrella term used throughout the [[Social Sciences|social sciences]] to describe an individual's comprehension of him or herself as a discrete, separate entity. This term, though generic, can be further specified by the disciplines of [[psychology]] and [[sociology]], including the two forms of social psychology.

Another issue of interest in social psychology is related to the notion that there are certain ''identity formation strategies'' which a person may use to adapt to the social world. Cote and Levine developed a [[typology]] which investigated the different manners of [[behavior]] that individuals may have. (3) Their typology includes:

Another issue of interest in social psychology is related to the notion that there are certain ''identity formation strategies'' which a person may use to adapt to the social world. Cote and Levine developed a [[typology]] which investigated the different manners of [[behavior]] that individuals may have. (3) Their typology includes:

'''Psychological symptoms'''

'''Psychological symptoms'''

'''Personality symptoms'''

'''Personality symptoms'''

'''Social symptoms'''

'''Social symptoms'''

| ''Refuser ''

*''Refuser ''

| Develops cognitive blocks that prevent adoption of adult role-schemas  

:Develops cognitive blocks that prevent adoption of adult role-schemas  

| Engages in child-like behavior

:Engages in child-like behavior

| Shows extensive dependency upon others and no meaningful engagement with the community of adults

:Shows extensive dependency upon others and no meaningful engagement with the community of adults

 

| ''Drifter ''

*''Drifter ''

| Possesses greater psychological resources than the Refuser (i.e., intelligence, charisma)

:Possesses greater psychological resources than the Refuser (i.e., intelligence, charisma)

| Is apathetic toward application of psychological resources

:Is apathetic toward application of psychological resources

| Has no meaningful engagement with or commitment to adult communities

:Has no meaningful engagement with or commitment to adult communities

 

| ''Searcher ''

* ''Searcher ''

| Has a sense of dissatisfaction due to high personal and social expectations

:Has a sense of dissatisfaction due to high personal and social expectations

| Shows disdain for imperfections within the community

:Shows disdain for imperfections within the community

| Interacts to some degree with role-models, but ultimately these relationships are abandoned

:Interacts to some degree with role-models, but ultimately these relationships are abandoned

 

| ''Guardian ''

*''Guardian ''

| Possesses clear personal values and attitudes, but also a deep fear of change

:Possesses clear personal values and attitudes, but also a deep fear of change

| Sense of personal identity is almost exhausted by sense of social identity

:Sense of personal identity is almost exhausted by sense of social identity

| Has an extremely rigid sense of social identity and strong identification with adult communities

:Has an extremely rigid sense of social identity and strong identification with adult communities

 

|'' Resolver ''

*'' Resolver ''

| Consciously desires self-growth

:Consciously desires self-growth

| Accepts personal skills and competencies and uses them actively

:Accepts personal skills and competencies and uses them actively

| Is responsive to communities that provide opportunity for self-growth

:Is responsive to communities that provide opportunity for self-growth

Kenneth Gergen formulated additional classifications, which include the ''strategic manipulator'', the ''pastiche personality'', and the ''relational self''. The strategic manipulator is a person who begins to regard all senses of identity merely as role-playing exercises, and who gradually becomes alienated from his or her social "self". The pastiche personality abandons all aspirations toward a true or "essential" identity, instead viewing social interactions as opportunities to play out, and hence become, the roles they play. Finally, the relational self is a perspective by which persons abandon all sense of exclusive self, and view all sense of identity in terms of social engagement with others. For Gergen, these strategies follow one another in phases, and they are linked to the increase in popularity of [[postmodern]] culture and the rise of telecommunications technology.

Kenneth Gergen formulated additional classifications, which include the ''strategic manipulator'', the ''pastiche personality'', and the ''relational self''. The strategic manipulator is a person who begins to regard all senses of identity merely as role-playing exercises, and who gradually becomes alienated from his or her social "self". The pastiche personality abandons all aspirations toward a true or "essential" identity, instead viewing social interactions as opportunities to play out, and hence become, the roles they play. Finally, the relational self is a perspective by which persons abandon all sense of exclusive self, and view all sense of identity in terms of social engagement with others. For Gergen, these strategies follow one another in phases, and they are linked to the increase in popularity of [[postmodern]] culture and the rise of telecommunications technology.