DIALOGICALITY AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF IDENTITY Anna

Inspired by social-cognitive and dialogical theory of identity the research was focused on identity dynamics. It was assumed that there are two basic factors which influence identity organization: first, basic motives underlying identity formations which are: self-esteem, efficacy, continuity, distinctiveness, belonging and meaning (Vignoles et al, 2006); second, dialogical activity as an intrinsic property of the self (Hermans, 2003). The study explored the relation between identity structure and basic motives satisfaction as well as internal dialogical activity. It was hypothesized that the more identity element satisfies the motives and the higher its dialogical potential, the more it is privileged in the identity structure. Participants were 23 females and 19 males, aged 19-28. The research was conducted in the longitudinal design (2 stages in the space of two months). “Identity Ratings” questionnaire by Vignoles and collaborators (2006) was used to measure identity structure and motives satisfaction, and Questionnaire of Internal Dialogues Frequency by Puchalska-Wasyl (2006) as a measure of dialogicality. Because of the nested data structure (identity elements clustered within participants), multilevel regression was computed. The results confirmed that all abovementioned motives have to a certain extent important impact on identity (re)organization. Dialogicality proved to be good predictor of identity structure in its cognitive and behavioral dimension, that is perceived centrality of identity elements and their enactment. Identity structure is shaped by motivational influences as well as internal dialogical activity. One intriguing self quality is the commonly experienced sense of unity despite heterogeneity even ambiguity of self-knowledge. Consciously we experience stability as well as changeability of the self and identity. It is commonly agreed that identity is heterogenic and flexible, but there are many views of its complexity and dynamics. According to Markus & Wurf (1987) selfconcept is simultaneously characterized by stability and changeability. According to the cognitive-experiential self-theory by Epstein, two modes of information processing, rational and experiential, explain this dual nature of identity (Epstein, 1994; Pacini, Epstein, 1999). The social-cognitive approach explains cross-situational coherence of behavior despite heterogenic social and self-knowledge (Cervone, 1996). Narrative psychology recognizes the ongoing life-story as an integrative process of constructing one’s identity from the diversity of life experience (McAdams, 2001). AUTHORS’ NOTE. This research was supported by a grant from the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education No. NN106 064335. Please address correspondence regarding this article to Anna Batory, e-mail: [email protected]