doi:10.1006/jado.1996.0039

Paper Title

Identity as adaptation to social, cultural, and historical context

Keywords

Identity
Adaptation
Sociocultural Context
Individual Identity
Cultural Influence
Historical Changes
Interpersonal Patterns
Traditional Values
Uniqueness
Selfhood
Social Change
Psychological Adaptation
Social Identity
Cultural Context
Modern Selfhood

Article Type

Research Article

Journal

Journal of Adolescence

Research Impact Tools

DOI

10.1006/jado.1996.0039

Publication Info

Volume: 19 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 405-416

Published On

October, 1996

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Abstract

Adaptation may be the best way to conceptualize the complex, multilateral relationship between individual identity and sociocultural context, because it recognizes the causal importance of culture yet also recognizes individual choice and change. This argument is developed by considering how several historical changes in the sociocultural context (i.e. increasing freedom of choice, changed interpersonal patterns, loss of traditional value bases, and rising tension between desire for uniqueness and difficulty of achieving it) have led to changes in the nature of identity. Although identity adapts to changes in its sociocultural context, these changes sometimes create new problems, including the specially problematic nature of modern selfhood.