Western Washington University.
Haverford College.
J Pers. 2018 Aug;86(4):631-651. doi: 10.1111/jopy.12341. Epub 2017 Sep 26.
The great majority of research on identity and personality development has focused on individual processes of development, to the relative neglect of the cultural context of development. We employ a recently articulated framework for the examination of identity development in context, centered on the construct of master narratives, or culturally shared stories.
Across four studies, we asked emerging and midlife adults (N = 512) to narrate personal experiences of deviations from these master narratives.
Across three quantitative studies, we show that (a) those who elaborated their deviation experiences were more likely to be in structurally marginalized positions in society (e.g., ethnic or sexual minorities); (b) those who elaborated an empowering alternative to the master narrative were more likely to be engaged in identity processes; and (c) master narratives maintain their rigidity by the frequency of their use. In study 4, using qualitative analyses, we illustrate the rigidity of master narratives, as well as the degree to which they take shape in social and group experiences.
These studies emphasize the importance of cultural context in considering personality and identity development.
绝大多数关于身份和个性发展的研究都集中在个体发展的过程上，相对忽视了发展的文化背景。我们采用了一个最近提出的框架，从文化共享故事（即主叙事）的角度来考察背景中的身份发展。
在四项研究中，我们要求新兴和中年成年人（N=512）讲述个人偏离这些主叙事的经历。
在三项定量研究中，我们发现（a）那些详细描述自己偏离经历的人更有可能处于社会结构上边缘化的位置（例如，少数民族或性少数群体）；（b）那些详细描述主叙事替代方案的人更有可能参与身份发展过程；（c）主叙事通过使用频率保持其僵化。在研究 4 中，我们使用定性分析来说明主叙事的僵化程度，以及它们在社会和群体经历中形成的程度。
这些研究强调了在考虑人格和身份发展时文化背景的重要性。
