Identity Formation Research Articles

“I Have Tried to Fit In, but I Just Want to Be Me”: Development Toward Identity Formation in Young Autistic Adults

“I Have Tried to Fit In, but I Just Want to Be Me”: Development Toward Identity Formation in Young Autistic Adults

BALANCING IDENTITY AND LIBERTY: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF LIBERAL NATIONALISM

Nationalism studies examine political and cultural nationalism as fundamental frameworks for understanding nation-building and identity formation. Political nationalism emphasizes the importance of sovereignty, self-determination and governance structures that support these principles. In contrast, cultural nationalism focuses on preserving and promoting shared heritage, language and traditions that define a community’s distinctive identity. Liberal nationalism, on the other hand, seeks to balance collective identity with the protection of individual rights and freedoms and seeks to harmonize these elements in a democratic context. Leading thinkers such as Yael Tamir, David Miller and Will Kymlicka have engaged in rigorous debates about the merits and challenges of liberal nationalism. These thinkers address the complexities and tensions that arise in different and pluralistic contexts regarding liberal nationalism and explore its potential to promote inclusive and harmonious societies. One critical debate focuses on the applicability of liberal nationalism, particularly in societies with significant ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. This article aims to fill an important gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of liberal nationalism. It compares this ideology with other forms of nationalism, such as ethnic and civic nationalism, providing a nuanced understanding of its distinct features and potential benefits. The article also assesses the applicability of liberal nationalism through literature reviews. By examining the theoretical foundations and practical implications of liberal nationalism, this study offers a perspective on its role in contemporary democracies. It highlights how liberal nationalism can be a viable framework for nation-building that respects collective identity and individual rights and offers a balanced approach to governance in increasingly diverse societies.

Exhibiting Colonialism and Nationalism: The Case of Egyptian Museums and Its Cultural Heritage

Abstract: Egypt is one of four ancient civilizations acknowledged by the international community as having a time-honored historical legacy and a profound cultural heritage. However, from the 19th century onward, Egypt's cultural development trajectory underwent a significant shift due to the influence of Western colonial powers. Subsequently, with the uninterrupted progression of the nationalist movement, the trajectory of Egyptian history and culture, in addition to the conservation and investigation of cultural heritage, underwent yet another transformation. Museums, as crucial instruments for the conservation and exhibition of cultural heritage, have played a pivotal role in the history of Egyptian cultural research, bearing witness to the transformation in the preponderance of Egyptian historical narratives. This paper examines how historical narratives and cultural developments in Egypt were shaped under the influence of colonialism, with a particular focus on the profound impact of Orientalist theories and practices on the construction of museums about the study of historical and cultural heritage. In the post-colonial period, Egyptian museums have served as conduits for disseminating the country's rich cultural heritage and as instruments for enhancing Egyptian national identity. These institutions have played a pivotal role in the formation of national identity and the "decolonization" of the country's cultural heritage, largely due to their irreplaceable cultural space and their capacity to adapt to changing needs. As Egyptian museums have evolved, they have played a significant role in shaping national identity and contributing to the processes of decolonization and de-Westernization. Furthermore, they symbolize the prospective trajectory of Egyptian national identity within the context of globalization and the emergence of a more interconnected world.

Young Europeans’ Geo-Political Identities: A Poststructural Analysis

This study analyses the way young Europeans, aged between 10 and 20, construct their sense of identity with geo-political entities such as the nation, the state and the European Union; how these are expressed; and how young people manage the potential multiplicity of identities. It re-analyses earlier data, some 224 transcripts of young Europeans discussing their identities and sense of attachment to the geo-political entities of the state and the nation. This study looks specifically at how they discuss affiliations to a country or nation and does so within the historical context of the development of European nations in the 19th and 20th centuries and the ‘strict definition’ of nationality, as based on either birthplace or parentage. The young people’s discussions identify a wide range of reasons for attachment (or not) to one or more states: these include parentage, birthplace, passports, culture, language, residence, etc., many of which are incompatible with each other. Their response to this is often to profess multiple identities, switching to use that is most appropriate to a particular context or contingency. How does this behaviour meet the various models of identity formation, such as the psychosocial, the socio-cultural, and the poststructuralist? These young people also offer a range of qualities or values that they expect a state to uphold and deliver and are sometimes critical of states’ behaviour in this area. The combination of these attributes and qualities leads to a range of attitudes towards a polity or polities, ranging from acceptance of their status to indifference. The explanations suggested in this paper are that globalisation and migration have led to the realisation that the ‘strict definitions’ of nationality are no longer appropriate, and there are new potential attributes for identity, and secondly, that the development of supranational codification and the implementation of human rights are weakening the sovereignty of states. Together, these two factors reduce the perception of the requirement to develop a single overriding national identity. This combination of multiple identities and recognising the importance of human rights values is most commonly found amongst young people who have grown up in multicultural societies, often urban, and the corollary of this is that combination is least likely to be found among the older population in more rural, monocultural settlements.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Kangwei Paintings: Literature Review and Outlook

In recent years, many countries around the world have been implementing their own protective practices for intangible cultural heritage under the impetus of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention. This study will conduct an in-depth investigation into the intangible cultural heritage of Kangwei paintings in Yuanping City, Shanxi Province, China, exploring the process of cultural identity formation and the role of commercialization in the context of intangible cultural heritage revitalization, an area that has not been deeply researched before.Using the systematic literature review method, a review was conducted on 102 relevant documents and journal articles sourced from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Conduct a literature review from the perspectives of overall research characteristics, highly cited literature, theoretical foundations, and research methods.The results of the literature analysis are systematically elaborated from the aspects of the connotation and extension of Kangwei paintings, the practical mechanisms for the revitalization of Kangwei paintings as intangible cultural heritage, and related suggestions. The study found that the practical mechanisms for the revitalization of Kangwei paintings as intangible cultural heritage include institutional support mechanisms, theoretical consolidation mechanisms, collaborative mechanisms, social education mechanisms, application innovation mechanisms, and efficiency evaluation mechanisms, with no related research proposed.Therefore, based on the framework for the revitalization of Yuanping Kangwei paintings, the prospects of cultural identity and commercialization concepts are proposed: solidifying the theoretical foundation for the revitalization of Kangwei paintings as intangible cultural heritage, scientifically defining the connotations and extensions of Kangwei paintings, refining the cultural identity mechanism for the revitalization of Kangwei paintings as intangible cultural heritage, and enriching the theoretical foundation for the study of the commercialization of Kangwei paintings.

Exploration of Student Experiences and Perceptions of Self and Peer: Implications for Tailoring Supports.

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students have reported learning new behaviors, enhanced self-awareness, and personal and professional growth during their first year of DPT school. The purpose of this study was to explore in greater depth, through semistructured interviews, the student perceptions of self-identity and social identity. Seventeen early second-year DPT students from 3 universities. This investigation is an extension of a larger multisite study. Qualitative interviews were employed to enable the use of a constructivist lens to explore the importance of personal context in participants' experiences during the first year of DPT school. Students across programs shared similar characteristics and experiences. Three themes emerged: DPT students share common perceptions of themselves and classmates; sociocultural experiences shaped their actions and perceptions of self; and students recognized the need to change to be successful. The voices of the older second-career students and racially minoritized students were uniquely different from other participants. Doctor of Physical Therapy student experiences are similar across programs except for older students and racially minoritized students. Early professional identity formation was noted as well. A richer understanding of the personal characteristics, influential sociocultural factors, and student perceptions of self and classmates could enable educators to customize supports and educational strategies to help students understand the role their past and present experiences play in shaping their professional identities.

Broken Time: On the Fragmentation of the Experience of Art School and the Impact on Identity Formation and Ttransformation

AbstractThis paper explores how increases in modularisation, elements of professional practice and even our relationship to screens and social media are amongst the factors that have changed the way time is experienced in higher fine art education. I draw upon my experience as a student, educator and pedagogical researcher to propose that identity formation and/or transformation are amongst the key functions of higher education in fine art in the West; that becoming an artist involves complex process of socialisation and individuation; and that these processes take time. I speculate that time is something which was once experienced comparatively smoothly but has been striated and fragmented by various factors including an increased focus on employability, the presence of social media, and not least various post Bologna interpretations at national or local level of the introduction of units and modules to comply with standardised credit systems. I propose that the combined effect of these factors amongst others distracts students from the middle by focusing them on micro destinations that deflect from developing a practice and impacts on these potentials.

Qurʾānic Exegesis and the Reshaping of Early Islamic History: A Case Study of Sura Q 107

This study examines the historiography of early Islam by assessing the reliability of Qurʾānic exegeses as sources documenting the early history of Islam and the biography of the Prophet Muḥammad in Mecca. Focusing on Qurʾānic exegetical practices from late antiquity to the medieval period, this article argues that there is a significant discontinuity in how Qurʾānic exegeses align with the historical context of the Qur’an, especially in relation to Meccan sūras such as Q 107. Significantly, this challenges the continuity of tradition, the fundamental concept upon which the “Islamic sciences” are based. This discontinuity is herein revealed through a historical–critical analysis of the exegesis of Q 107:4 that demonstrates how Qurʾānic exegetical practices have reinterpreted and reshaped early Islamic history in response to the pressures of new identity formation and made Qurʾānic exegeses more reflective of the social and political contexts of the exegetes than of the historical milieu of the Qurʾān itself. This analysis contributes to the ongoing discussion of the role exegesis played in reshaping the history of Islam. Indeed, it emphasises the importance of critically evaluating these sources in order to uncover a more nuanced historical narrative of early Islam.

Cultural hybridity and body image formation: exploring the experiences of Wushu male practitioners at the Siberian Chinese Martial Arts Center.

This study explores the formation of a hybrid body image among white cisgender males practicing Wushu at the Siberian Chinese Martial Arts Center. Grounded in Social Identity Theory and the concept of bicultural identity, the research employs narrative interviews with 12 participants. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: the creation of a hybrid identity blending Chinese martial arts traditions with Russian cultural backgrounds, conceptualized as judanren; the challenges associated with this identity in both Russian and Chinese contexts; and the role of Wushu uniforms in reconciling these cultural contradictions, serving as a "second skin" for practitioners. The findings contribute to a more inclusive understanding of body image and identity formation in a multicultural, non-Western context.

Transformational learning and professional identity formation in postgraduate competency-based medical education.

Residency programmes are in transition to a framework for competency-based medical education (CBME). The intersection of CBME with transformational learning (TL) experiences and professional identity formation (PIF) - particularly within senior learners in transitional states - is unknown but important to understand in order to develop and implement strategies to support trainees' professional development. Through inductive qualitative methods, we conducted semi-structured interviews (n= 22) of current trainees and recent graduates from adult cardiology residency training programmes within Canada to explore the impact of TL experiences on residents' professional growth and identity formation. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis informed by TL theory. CBME did not appear to influence trainees' experiences of disorienting dilemmas and TL. Important clinical encounters and interpersonal relationships - in particular, those between mentor and mentee - shaped trainees' professional development as cardiologists ('enabling factors' for TL and PIF). 'Imposter phenomenon' was widely prevalent in our sample study population even among graduates who had already completed their training. Requisite elements for transformation (disorienting dilemmas, critical reflection, discourse and action) also contributed to PIF. TL experiences influenced PIF in senior learners but infrequently intersected with CBME; these experiences were more commonly prompted by disorienting dilemmas relating to clinical outcomes or interpersonal interactions independent of CBME-specific architecture.

Традиции и современность: культурное самосознание

The article examines the role of traditions in the formation of cultural identity in modern society. It analyzes the works of both domestic and foreign scholars concerning the essence and features of cultural traditions and national identity. The necessity for a more detailed study of the role of traditions in shaping cultural self-consciousness in the modern world is identified. The study reveals that at the basis of the examined phenomenon lies cultural identity, which is defined as an individual’s ability to evaluate themselves within the context of the cultural group to which they belong. Cultural identity facilitates the development of specific behaviors, values, and worldviews. It is established that by embracing cultural traditions, individuals enhance their cultural self-consciousness and cultivate an understanding of their place in the modern world. Furthermore, it has been determined that the strength and uniqueness of cultural affiliation render relationships within multicultural communities more harmonious, while also contributing to the individual’s success in their endeavors. Consequently, it is concluded that cultural traditions serve as the foundation of all occurrences in the modern world. They influence various spheres of nation’s life, aiding in the construction of a more advanced future.

Pronouns in Welcome: Linguistic Construction of Student Identity in Chinese University Banners

This study explores the nuanced role of pronoun usage in welcome banners at Chinese universities and examines its influence on freshmen’s identity construction within the cultural context of China. Employing a systematic collection and analysis of a corpus of welcome banners, the research utilizes corpus analysis and word frequency statistics to investigate how pronoun choices shape and reinforce freshmen’s sense of identity. The findings highlight the significant impact of linguistic subtleties on the orientation activities at Chinese universities, influencing freshmen’s social integration and identity formation. By illuminating the linguistic characteristics of Chinese welcome banners, this research provides empirical evidence of how cultural and linguistic contexts affect student identity through orientation activities. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the intersection between language, culture, and identity in higher education.

Conventionalized impoliteness formulae in third-party assessments

Abstract The paper examines the ideological work accomplished by the use of conventionalized impoliteness formulae in third person reference, when the person being criticized or brought into disrepute is not present in the here-and-now of interaction. Drawing on Interactional Linguistics and data from audio-recorded informal face-to-face Greek conversations, the study shows that speakers mobilize conventionalized impoliteness formulae, along with other linguistic resources, in the course of third-party assessments to evaluate sociocultural experience, and establish interlocutors’ shared negative affective stance toward the third party picked on due to their national group membership. This practice reproduces everyday nationalism that unites offenders against national ‘others’. The study enhances our understanding of the recontextualization of conventionalized impoliteness formulae in talk-in-interaction, and the role of affective stance in the discursive formation of (national) identities.

A CONSTRUÇÃO DA IDENTIDADE CULTURAL NA ERA DIGITAL

The construction of cultural identity in the digital era is a dynamic and multifaceted phenomenon, driven by technological advancement and globalization. The internet and social networks, as the main contemporary communication vehicles, play a central role in the formation of cultural identities, promoting interaction between people of different cultures and values. In this scenario, cultural identity is no longer static or limited to a geographic space, but becomes fluid, shaped by diverse experiences, including online and offline interactions. The digital age offers unlimited possibilities for cultural expression and recognition, allowing individuals and groups to share their traditions, beliefs and customs with a global audience. At the same time, this constant exposure to different cultures can generate tension between the preservation of local identities and the influence of a dominant global culture. Furthermore, cultural identity in the digital age is often negotiated, where individuals and communities choose which aspects of their culture they want to emphasize or adapt. However, this transformation can also generate challenges, such as cultural homogenization or the risk of cultural appropriation. Therefore, the construction of cultural identity in the digital age is a complex process that involves both the strengthening and transformation of cultural traditions. New digital platforms allow for greater democratization of cultural discourse, but they also pose challenges that need to be recognized and discussed, especially in relation to the preservation of cultural diversity.

Cleavage theory meets Bourdieu: studying the role of group identities in cleavage formation

Abstract In this paper, we develop a framework for studying the role of group identities in contemporary cleavage formation. Identities, we suggest, hold the key to a central conundrum of current political sociology: the fact that today’s electoral realignments appear to be rooted in the social structure of post-industrial societies, while the decline of mass organizations has dissolved traditional links between politics and social structure. Bringing cleavage theory into dialog with the sociology of Pierre Bourdieu, we theorize how group identities may play an important role in stabilizing a new universalism-particularism cleavage emerging in Western Europe today. We identify two key processes of cleavage identity formation: bottom-up processes of “social closure” and top-down “classification struggles” waged by political entrepreneurs. For both processes, we review empirical findings and formulate an agenda for further research.

A Resident Narrative Medicine Curriculum to Promote Professional Identity Development: Story-Based Sessions Grounded in Narrative Learning Theory.

Empathy, reflection, and social connectedness are important skills for physician identity development and are increasingly challenged by burnout. Humanities-based interventions like narrative medicine (NM) are emerging in medical education to promote these skills. Only 17% of such initiatives target graduate medical learners. Furthermore, interventions are inconsistent in approach and theory representation. NM uses story-based learning to promote reflection and group discussion. Inspired by narrative learning theory, we developed NM sessions for residents to foster healthy identity development. Ninety-minute sessions were integrated into curricula for PGY 1-PGY 3 internal medicine-primary care residents at two large academic centers. Sessions involved engagement with a narrative source (stories, poems, art), personal reflection, and group discussion. Topics ranged from burnout to difficult patients. Participants completed anonymous postsession surveys assessing satisfaction, attitudes, and skills. Fifteen sessions occurred from 2021 to 2023, with three to 10 residents per session. Fifty residents completed between one and four sessions, with 68 survey responses (response rate: 88%). Over 95% ranked 4-5 out of 5 for overall impression (n = 67) and personal value (n = 65) of sessions. Sessions were highly enjoyable (M = 4.8), with mean scores of >4 out of 5 for impact on wellness, appreciation of work values, social connectedness, and patient care. NM sessions demonstrated measurable improvements in several domains of professional performance including wellness, job satisfaction, and patient care, while promoting camaraderie and emotion processing. Our materials offer tremendous potential for promoting healthy identity formation.

Religious Possession and Self-Repossession: The Black Nationalist Movements and the Anglophone Caribbean Ritual Plays in the 1960s–1970s

Since achieving political independence in the 1960s, Anglophone Caribbean nations have faced the urgent task of exploring cultural independence. In the socio-cultural sphere, Black nationalism dominated, with Pan-Africanism and Rastafarianism exerting significant influence. In literary creation, writers and intellectuals sought to unearth local popular religions and folk traditions to produce literature that was distinctively Caribbean. In this quest, rituals—especially those involving religious possession—emerged as pivotal tools for writers to explore historical traditions and reflect on identity formation. Ritual plays, in particular, vividly represented these dynamics within the socio-cultural context. This paper examines the interaction between Black nationalist movements and ritual plays during this period, highlighting their significant role in shaping Caribbean identities. It reveals that ritual plays such as Dream on Monkey Mountain, Couvade, and An Echo in the Bone challenge Pan-Africanism promoted by Black nationalist movements. Instead, they employ ancestor possession rituals and elements from multiple religious rituals to construct a native Caribbean identity. These plays underscore the central role of Afro-Caribbean traditions while also highlighting the region’s diverse cultural heritage and the localized nature of Caribbean identity. Furthermore, they broaden the use of religious rituals in recalling and understanding traditions.

The Differences between Chinese and Western Names and Their Cultural Implications

Names serve as more than mere identifiers; they embody cultural values, identity formation, and societal norms. This study examines the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western naming conventions, exploring how these practices reflect broader cultural, historical, and religious influences. Drawing on the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, the research investigates how language—and consequently names—shapes worldviews and social structures. In China, naming conventions often emphasize familial ties, cultural heritage, and philosophical principles rooted in Confucian values and ancient traditions. In contrast, Western naming practices tend to prioritize individualism and personal expression, reflecting values of freedom and equality. The study highlights the importance of names in shaping identities and social interactions, particularly in a globalized context. Understanding these distinctions promotes intercultural dialogue and enhances mutual respect between Chinese and Western cultures. The findings suggest that names function as cultural markers, bridging personal identity with collective heritage, and tradition with modernity.

Intergenerational transmission and multilingual dynamics: exploring language policies in Chaoshan families through a contextual lens

ABSTRACT Amidst the rapid processes of industrialization and globalization, the interplay between minority and majority languages has garnered increasing attention, highlighting concerns surrounding linguistic diversity and the efficacious enactment of language policies. This study delves into the intricacies of language planning within the familial domain, specifically scrutinizing Chaoshan families in the Chaoshan region as pivotal arenas for nurturing the enduring vitality of Teochew. Employing a methodological approach integrating family visits, interaction recordings, and interviews, this study probes the dynamics of family language policies and individuals’ perceptions vis-à-vis the nexus between linguistic practices and identity formation, with particular emphasis on intergenerational transmission. The results highlight that although Teochew continues to be actively used in family conversations and is closely linked to local identity formation, it is gradually losing ground among younger generations. This decline in passing down the dialect from one generation to the next is noticeable and poses a challenge to its long-term continuity. These insights indicate potential challenges to the sustained perpetuation of Teochew, warranting concerted societal and individual endeavors to safeguard its status as a cherished linguistic asset. The study underscores the importance of societal and individual efforts in preserving Teochew as a valuable linguistic resource.

Srebrenica as a Marker of Memory in Bilateral Relations Between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Light of Ontological Security

Abstract This article aims to analyze the impact of memory on security/foreign policy using the example of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s bilateral relations. The basis for these considerations is the concept of ontological security. It indicates the construction of the identity of the state and is implemented through political decisions and social practices (for example remembering important historical events). Here, memory is treated as a social construct. In addition, the article focuses on memory leading to the formation of state identity, also seen in the international sphere. Historical memory has a considerable impact on bilateral relations between countries that used to be in conflict, like Serbia and BiH. In the example analyzed, leaders use historical memory to create separate identities, commemorate chosen and appropriate victims/heroes or important dates, historical sites, monuments events and develop selective narratives. The most significant elements in the analysis of the historical memory of Serbia and BiH relations are (1) the goals of foreign and security policy of Serbia and BiH (2) the contemporary narrative of the Srebrenica genocide and its perception by governments of Serbia, BiH, and by Bosnian Serbs and Bosniaks, and (3) an official Srebrenica commemoration (memorials, Srebrenica Memorial Day).