【學術演講】中研院民族學研究所

講題:Group identification as a strategy to cope with identity change
講者:Professor Jolanda Jetten (University of Queensland, Australia)
日期:2009年8月19日(週三)14:30-17:00
地點:中研院民族學研究所三樓2319室

It is suggested that because the self is in important ways defined by membership in social groups, losing an identity or a permanent change to the meaning of the identity is likely to affect the individual self in important ways. Despite the recognition that identity change can be highly stressful, limited consideration has been given to the way group identification can buffer against the negative consequences of change. We predict that the negative consequences of identity change will be limited when individuals readily take on a new identity. This is because the new sense of belonging and identification should have a positive effect on long-term well-being. I will present data from a range of identity change contexts (e.g., the transition to university, adjustment after a stroke) that suggest that when people are confronted with major life changes, a person’s broad identity network can determine whether the life-transition or identity change is perceived to be a positive or negative event, and whether new social identities provide a basis for the receipt of effective support that makes the change a more positive experience. In particular, the data suggest that drawing effectively on the resources that the new identity offers may buffer individuals from stress associated with change and thereby protect their long-term well-being.