Among the many traditions of research on "identity," two somewhat different yet strongly related strands of identity theory have developed. The first, reflected in the work of Stryker and colleagues, focuses on the linkages of social structures with identities. The second, reflected in the work of Burke and colleagues, focuses on the internal process of self-verification. In the present paper we review each of these strands and then discuss ways in which the two relate to and complement one another Each provides a context for the other: the relation of social structures to identities influences the process of self-verification, while the process of self-verification creates and sustains social structures. The paper concludes with examples of potentially useful applications of identity theory to other arenas of social psychology, and with a discussion of challenges that identity theory must meet to provide a clear understanding of the relation between self and society.

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Self-esteem hasbeen conceptualized asan outcome, motive, and buffer, but there is no overall theory ofself-esteem. In thisarticle it issuggested that identity theory can provide a theoretical frameworkfor the integration ofthe various conceptualizations ofselfesteem. Wesuggest that self-esteem is an outcome of, and necessary ingredient in, the self-verification process that occurs withingroups, maintainingboththe individual and the group. Verification of role identities increases an individual's worth-based and efficacy-based self-esteem. Theself-esteem builtup byself-verification buffers thenegative emotions that occur when self-verification is problematic, thus allowing continued interaction and continuity in structural arrangements duringperiods of disruption andchange. Last, a desire for self-esteem, produced in part through self-verification, stabilizes the group because it motivates individuals to form and maintain relationships that verifyidentities.