Cognitive Reasoning, Identity Components, and Identity Processing Styles

Abstract

This study evaluated the hypothesis that relationships between cognitive reasoning processes and the types of identity components (i.e., personal, collective, or social) that individuals emphasize in defining who they are would at least in part be mediated by identity processing styles. Results indicated rational processing was linked positively to a personal identity emphasis and negatively to a social emphasis. Intuitive processing was positively linked to all three identity emphases. As hypothesized, all of the direct relationships were at least partially mediated by identity processing style. Specifically, the positive association between rational processing and a personal identity emphasis was completely mediated by the informational and diffuse-avoidant identity styles. The negative association between rational processing and a social identity emphasis was completely mediated by all three identity styles. The informational and normative styles mediated the structural paths from intuitive processing to a collective identity (completely) and social identity (partially) emphasis. Finally, the positive relationship between intuitive reasoning and personal identity was mediated by the informational, but not normative, style. This pattern of relationships was not moderated by the sex of the participants. The role that cognitive processing strategies and identity styles may play in how individuals define themselves and form a sense of identity was considered.