Identity In Social Context Research Articles

Patterns of transgender microaggressions in friendship: the role of gender identity

ABSTRACTMicroaggressions are brief verbal, behavioural or environmental slights that communicate hostility or offence. Microaggressions that come from an individual’s friends can be seen as more interpersonally aggressive and more upsetting than when coming from someone who the individual does not know. The present study examines transgender microaggressions that occur in friendships and specifically explores how microaggressions are experienced differently for transfeminine, transmasculine, gender nonconforming and agender individuals. Participants included 211 transgender adults who ranged in age from 18 to 65. Participants identified as transfeminine (28.4%), transmasculine (47.4%), gender nonconforming (18.0%) or agender (6.2%). Participants completed an online survey and provided qualitative information regarding their experiences of microaggressions from their friends. Responses were analysed via thematic analysis with a focus on explicating differences in experiences of microaggressions across gender identity. Three broad identity-salient themes emerged: (1) authenticity; (2) visibility and (3) negotiation of identity in social context. Differences were seen between individuals endorsing binary (transfeminine and transmasculine) and non-binary (gender nonconforming and agender) identities, as well as between transmasculine and transfeminine identities. Discussion focuses on the way cisgenderism, sexism and binary assumptions about gender/sex converge to shape the experiences of transgender microaggressions in friendships.

Adolescent Ethnic Identity in Social Context: A Commentary.

Key findings from the various studies of this special section of Child Development are that ethnic identity is embedded in a positive proximal interpersonal context in adolescence and that the links between ethnic identity and the interpersonal context seem to become stronger from the beginning of early adolescence on. Remarkably, the (longitudinal) studies do not show that ethnic identity is a better predictor of developmental outcomes or that it can be better predicted in minority groups than in majority groups. I use one of the articles to demonstate that a longitudinal prediction model is different from a developmental sequence model. Finally, an extension of the present measures of ethnic identity is proposed. This extension would allow for a thorough investigation of the saliency of ethnic identity and its interplay with other identity domains during adolescent development.

Identity concealment in transgender adults: A qualitative assessment of minority stress and gender affirmation.

Minority individuals might conceal their identity in social contexts in an effort to avoid stigma and victimization. Unfortunately, identity concealment is thought to impact psychological distress in transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals. Thus, through 30 in-depth interviews, we sought to understand if and how identity concealment was experienced by TGNC individuals. Findings indicated that (a) TGNC identity concealment is a source of stress, (b) individuals might conceal their TGNC identity based on social context, (c) concealment of assigned sex and gender history can function to affirm one's true gender identity, and (d) concealment of gender history is a rejection of one's assigned sex. In addition, (a) passing/blending is an important interpersonal and intrapersonal process, (b) the importance of passing/blending can change over time, and (c) not passing/blending may result in worrying about personal safety. The authors discuss how concealment can both inhibit and promote psychological health for TGNC individuals, and they offer clinical applications for health providers. (PsycINFO Database Record

Identity Work Beyond the Profession: New Foci and Questions

Identity work, “...individuals’ active construction of identity in social contexts” (Pratt, Rockmann, & Kauffmann, 2006: 237), has been a popular topic among management scholars, in part because identity is posited to influence numerous important organizational processes and outcomes. To date, issues of identity construction have largely been explored in professional contexts - that is, among members of occupational groups who undergo strict, common, and often intense socialization processes (Lepisto, Crosina, & Pratt, 2015). In this symposium, we seek to enrich the conversation on identity formation and upkeep by giving voice to the experiences and practices of those who, in absence of formal socialization programs, or without traditional organizational and professional support, deploy alternative strategies to craft their work identities. In so doing, we look to: 1) expand our understanding of different contexts for identity work; 2) explore new influences and mechanisms; and 3) raise new questions arou...

The Role of Skin Color on Hispanic Women’s Perceptions of Attractiveness

This study relies on qualitative methods to investigate Hispanic women’s skin color perceptions. The primary goal is to identify the relevance of these perceptions on their beliefs about their own physical attractiveness. Thirty-four self-identified White-Hispanic women attending a large Hispanic Serving Institution in the southeastern United States were interviewed for this study. Unlike previous research findings on Hispanic women’s skin color preferences, findings identified a “tan” skin color as preferred; pale skin was viewed as “plain” and unattractive. This preference was associated with four themes about physical attractiveness: (1) desirability among their peer groups, (2) increased value in dating contexts, (3) sexual appeal to men, and (4) marker of Hispanic identity in social contexts. Findings from this study are important for those researchers addressing identity development and relationship issues among Hispanic populations in the United States.

Language Revitalization and Identity in Social Context: A Community-Based Athabascan Language Preservation Project in Western Interior Alaska

This study documents a language planning effort funded by an Administration for Native Americans Grant to the Tanana Chiefs Conference, a regional nonprofit tribal organization. The language revitalization project focuses on western interior Alaska and encompasses five traditional Athabascan languages with few remaining speakers. Project discussions included options for language planning, training activities, and educational program and materials development that would enhance language survival. Three dominant project themes are identified and discussed. They are (1) critique and resistance, (2) self-determination and activism, and (3) collaboration and leadership.

Psychology and the Concept of Identity in Social Context: A Theoretical Challenge to the Consistency Motif

Psychology and the Concept of Identity in Social Context: A Theoretical Challenge to the Consistency Motif