Identity Theory

ISBN-13: 9780195388275 / Angielski / Twarda / 2009 / 272 str.

Peter Burke; Jan E. Stets

Opis

The concept of identity has become widespread within the social and behavioral sciences in recent years, cutting across disciplines from psychiatry and psychology to political science and sociology. All individuals claim particular identities given their roles in society, groups they belong to, and characteristics that describe themselves. Introduced almost 30 years ago, identity theory is a social psychological theory that attempts to understand identities, their sources in interaction and society, their processes of operation, and their consequences for interaction and society from a sociological perspective. This book describes identity theory, its origins, the research that supports it, and its future direction. It covers the relation between identity theory and other related theories, as well as the nature and operation of identities. In addition, the book discusses the multiple identities individuals hold from their multiple positions in society and organizations as well as the multiple identities activated by many people interacting in groups and organizations. And, it covers the manner in which identities offer both stability and change to individuals. Written in an accessible style, Identity Theory makes, step by step, the full range of this powerful new theory understandable to readers at all levels.

Recenzje

As a macrosociologist of culture and politics, I learned much from Identity Theory. The book is a must-read for scholars of all disciplines who want to work with the concept of identity.

O autorze

Peter J. Burke is the author of three books, including Contemporary Social Psychological Theories and was awarded the Cooley-Mead Distinguised Career Award from the Social Psychology section of the American Sociological Association in 2003. Jan E. Stets is the author of four books, most recently (with Jonathan Turner) of The Sociology of Emotions and The Handbook of the Sociology of Emotion. The authors are both Professors of Sociology and Co-Directors of the Social Psychology Research Laboratory at the University of California, Irvine.