The Link Between Identity and Role Performance

Abstract

Despite interest in the influence of self-concept on behavior, research has been limited by (I) the need to better understand the mechanism by which self influences role behaviors, (2) a reliance on self-esteem as the only measure of self-concept, and (3) the absence of quantitative measures of self-concept. The research reported here is designed to test one formulation ofthe link between identity and behavior. It is based on recent theoretical conceptions of identity, advances in its measurement, and the assumption that identities motivate behaviors that have meanings consistent (isomorphic) with the identity. Data obtained from 640 college students are used to discover and measure four dimensions of meaning pertaining to the college student identity, and to assess the impact of student identities on the two "performance" variables of educational plans and participation in social activities. The findings strongly support the hypothesized link of identity and performance through common meanings.

Who am I and what keeps me going? Profiling the distance learning student in higher education

“…Students were self-selecting and the study did not discriminate on grounds of gender. The research methodology used was based upon previous work into identity analysis and online working (Burke, et al, 1981), in which a feminist, postmodern phenomenological approach into identity analysis was taken (Langridge, 2007). The phenomenological approach has been used across the public sector to investigate the ways in which professional identities change and evolve according to the circumstances in which they are operating (Baldwin, 2008;Baxter, 2011b;Burke, et al, 1981) and has been found to be particularly useful in uncovering underlying beliefs which, in turn, underlie actions and behaviors.…”

“…The research methodology used was based upon previous work into identity analysis and online working (Burke, et al, 1981), in which a feminist, postmodern phenomenological approach into identity analysis was taken (Langridge, 2007). The phenomenological approach has been used across the public sector to investigate the ways in which professional identities change and evolve according to the circumstances in which they are operating (Baldwin, 2008;Baxter, 2011b;Burke, et al, 1981) and has been found to be particularly useful in uncovering underlying beliefs which, in turn, underlie actions and behaviors. It is also employed by feminist researchers, placing the individual at the heart of their story; their identity is that reflected in their articulation of their own story (Josselson, 1987(Josselson, , 2007Maclure, 1993).…”

“…These were then mapped to the student journey. Figure 1 offers a framework for student identity analysis and is based upon the framework for identity analysis in earlier work (Baxter, 2004); it also draws upon an extensive literature review into professional identities (Baxter 2011) and online identities in which student identities are seen to be composed of 1. lecturer perceptions; 2. the result of a trajectory of interrelated activities (Beijaard, 2004;Burke, et al, 1981) 6. communities (Wenger, 1998); 7. academic expectations (including expectations of the organization) (Jones, 2008;Schofield, et al, 2010;Simpson, 2002); and are 8. coloured by personal beliefs emanating from cultural assumptions, childhood beliefs, language, and socioeconomic background.…”

The development of preservice elementary teachers' curricular role identity for science teaching

“…Teachers' role identity development relies on the ways in which a teacher envisions him-or herself fulfilling the role of teacher through practice. These hypothetical visions of what type of teacher an individual hopes to become are referred to as role standards or designated identities (Burke & Reitzes, 1981;Collier, 2001;Sfard & Prusak, 2005). However, certain individuals have a disproportionately significant influence on role identity development.…”

National Identity and Patriotism among Russian Youth: Representations, Feelings and Actions

“…According to the assumptions that social identities have different salience that influence 'how much effort we put into each role and how well we perform it' (Burke & Reitzes, 1981) we attempted to explore the youth's national identity first of all through the prism of civic, territorial and retrospective identifications.…”