The role of gender in the development of Personal Identity
The level of importance of several factors in the development of Professional Identity; Gender, goal formation, personality, Academic and Environmental.
Jade Audrey Armstrong
University of Sunderland
Department of Psychology
Word count; 3298
Abstract
Introduction Tafjel & Turner (1979) cited by Deux, Reid, Mizraki & Ethier (1995) propose the theory of social comparison being linked to social identities. They suggest that social comparison is a central unit in the formation of social identities. This is saying that in order for a social identity to develop; social comparisons (along with other factors) must be present in the self; e.g., deriving expected commonalities of an identity by comparing oneself to another in their workplace or own home environment. This gave us the assumption that a person’s social background and experiences will play a part in their professional identity.
Deux, K (2001) suggested that social identities assume unities with one another, that each identity is not a separate part of our self. In her research, Deux proposed that there may be a hierarchy, putting forward the suggestion that the importance of identities may change over time which reminds us that it is a dynamic process. Looking at the research of Trafimow et al (1999) as cited by Deux, Anne & Reid 1999; we can see that social identities are linked together as self-representations have to be stored in something more complex than a simple single cognitive structure therefore a single identity cannot be unaccompanied. Cooper & Olsen 1996 agree with this proposing that professional identity is “multifaceted”, that it a complex state in which may consist of several identities either conflicting or aligning with one another. Mishler 1999 established the same outcome and said; “we view our selves as a chorus of voices, not just as the tenor or soprano soloist”, that it would be wise to look at professional identity as though it is influenced by all of our
Jade Audrey Armstrong
University of Sunderland
Department of Psychology
Word count; 3298
Abstract
Introduction Tafjel & Turner (1979) cited by Deux, Reid, Mizraki & Ethier (1995) propose the theory of social comparison being linked to social identities. They suggest that social comparison is a central unit in the formation of social identities. This is saying that in order for a social identity to develop; social comparisons (along with other factors) must be present in the self; e.g., deriving expected commonalities of an identity by comparing oneself to another in their workplace or own home environment. This gave us the assumption that a person’s social background and experiences will play a part in their professional identity.
Deux, K (2001) suggested that social identities assume unities with one another, that each identity is not a separate part of our self. In her research, Deux proposed that there may be a hierarchy, putting forward the suggestion that the importance of identities may change over time which reminds us that it is a dynamic process. Looking at the research of Trafimow et al (1999) as cited by Deux, Anne & Reid 1999; we can see that social identities are linked together as self-representations have to be stored in something more complex than a simple single cognitive structure therefore a single identity cannot be unaccompanied. Cooper & Olsen 1996 agree with this proposing that professional identity is “multifaceted”, that it a complex state in which may consist of several identities either conflicting or aligning with one another. Mishler 1999 established the same outcome and said; “we view our selves as a chorus of voices, not just as the tenor or soprano soloist”, that it would be wise to look at professional identity as though it is influenced by all of our