Identity Integration and Indecisiveness

Abstract

We all belong to and identify with many social groups, but individual differences exist in how we manage the relationships between our multiple social identities. This paper examines the relationship between individual differences in identity integration (II) – perceptions of one’s multiple social identities as compatible versus in conflict – and indecisiveness. Study 1 found that those with low II (or those who generally perceive their identities to be in conflict) were more indecisive, even while controlling for trait-level anxiety. Study 2 replicated the finding across trait-like, behavioral, and affective measures of indecisiveness, and across different decision-making tasks. Studies 3a and 3b demonstrated that II between specific identities (II between different cultural identities among biculturals; II between work and family identities among working professionals with families) predicts indecisiveness only in tasks relevant to those identities. Study 4 extended these findings to employees of a multinational organization, showing that II predicts indecisiveness at work. These results show that identity management strategies predict decision-making processes for tasks that are relevant to one’s social identities.