Personal Identity Research Articles

The ever ongoing cosmetic quest to change eye colour.

To provide a historical overview of the various efforts to change eye colour for purely cosmetic reasons, along with the associated potential risks and harms. Literature and online search. Eye drops containing adrenaline were used during World War II on involuntary inmates of concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. Prostaglandin drops, used in glaucoma therapy since 1996, can increase iris pigmentation as an undesired side effect. Commercial drops, available since 2011, are not effective and potentially dangerous. Iris implants, commercially available since 2011, led to serious complications like corneal decompensation, uveitis and glaucoma, and for this reason, implants had to be removed, leaving some patients almost blind. Also commercially in use since 2011 are laser treatments to make brown eyes blue. Among the possible complications are anterior uveitis and (pigmentary) glaucoma. Corneal tattooing has existed for almost 2000 years. Complications of modern, intrastromal keratopigmentation include corneal perforation, bacterial infection, allergic or toxic reaction to pigment, migration of pigment, and functional complications like visual field limitation and light sensitivity. Personal identity and self-esteem are likely contributing factors to undergo this potentially harmful cosmetic eye surgery. In addition to the earlier discussed complications, the artificial layer of colour can obscure ocular pathology of the cornea or iris. As the majority of individuals undergoing these procedures are relatively young, problems may arise in the future when they will need cataract or other eye surgeries. Permanently changing eye colour in healthy eyes for purely cosmetic reasons is a risky procedure.

The Discursive Journey of Meta-Awareness: Literacy (Teacher) Identity Within Preservice Teacher Preparation

The purpose of this study is to examine preservice teachers’ (PTs) meta-awareness related to their developing literacy (teacher) identities and examine the discursive belief systems and patterns embedded within this context. In this instrumental case study, we aim to determine the relationship(s) between meta-awareness and PTs’ literacy (teacher) identities through how they demonstrate their knowledge of literacy instruction and envision future literacy practices. The findings include PTs’ demonstration of their meta-awareness of literacy through their use of evaluative language, explicit memories, and content appropriation. Because personal and professional identities draw deeply from one another in shaping how PTs demonstrate their learning, our discussion expands upon this duality. Implications for teacher educators include recontextualizing one's past experiences as a reader and writer in literacy methods coursework as a means of moving toward agentic redress and responsive instruction.

EXPLORING MUSICAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT: PERSPECTIVES FROM STAGE THEORY, SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY, AND A LIFESPAN APPROACH

Music has a profound impact on a person's identity and has a complicated and deep relationship with the self. A psychological concept called "musical identity" includes a variety of elements derived from "personal, social, emotional, and musical competencies." It represents how people behave in a cultural and social context and is influenced by their involvement in music and practice. The study of how people acquire their musical knowledge and skills examines the cognitive, emotional, and social facets of this process. The stage theory by Trevarthen and Malloch, which hypothesizes discrete transitions in musical development across the lifespan, is a well-known framework in this area. Another approach is the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) application by Evans and McPherson, which emphasizes the significance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in forming musical identity. Using a lifelong perspective, Lamont emphasizes the impact of social settings and cultural environments on the negotiation of musical identity. Her work emphasizes the significance of early musical encounters, the influence of formal and informal musical interactions during infancy, and the development of musical identity during adolescence and maturity. Understanding these frameworks advances our knowledge of how musical identities are formed and has implications for music education, therapy, and the encouragement of lifelong musical participation.

BRAND AMBASSADORS, FOMO, AND PERCEIVED VALUE INFLUENCING LEVI'S IMPULSE BUYING

In today's dynamic market landscape, complex changes are evident across various industries. Consumers now expect a positive shopping experience, viewing consumption activities as both personal fulfillment and social identity markers. To stay competitive, businesses must align their branding strategies accordingly. One strategic approach to enhancing brand appeal involves collaborating with brand ambassadors. Specifically, the allure of K-pop idols plays a substantial role in shaping brand images, thereby motivating consumers to make impulsive purchases. This study seeks to investigate the impact of brand ambassadors on impulse buying behaviors. Additionally, we aim to analyze the significance of perceived value in influencing these behaviors. Data collection utilized Google Forms, gathering responses from 160 Indonesian females between ages 17 and 40 who were familiar with the New Jeans music group and had recently purchased or used Levi’s collections. Our methodology includes processing the data using SMART-PLS 4.0 with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Our preliminary findings indicate that brand ambassadors significantly enhance impulse buying through increased perceived value and fear of missing out (FOMO). This research contributes valuable insights into consumer behavior under modern marketing strategies, emphasizing the importance of aligning branding efforts with evolving consumer expectations. By leveraging celebrity influences effectively, businesses can stimulate spontaneous retail activity, offering practical implications for marketers aiming to maximize customer engagement and loyalty. Ultimately, our analysis underscores the strategic potential of collaborating with influential figures like K-pop idols to boost sales within competitive markets.

Altered body as a source of interactional problems in the family of individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 - A polish study.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, whose clinical picture is dominated by visible body changes as well as numerous somatic and behavioural abnormalities. The aim of the study was to explore the ways in which the individual experiences NF1 in everyday life, with particular emphasis on the impact of the altered body on family interactions, in addition to the personal and social identity of individuals with NF1. A qualitative study was performed using individual in-depth interviews with 93 individuals with NF1 (median age: 36.69; range: 18 to 64; 26% males). Body changes caused by NF1 determine the specificity of social interactions in the families of the sick. The strength and direction of the impact of body changes on social interactions depends on their type (visibility, invisibility), as well as the meanings given to them. The visibility of disease lesions triggers an attitude of excessive control and stigmatization in the family, especially on the part of the mothers of individuals with NF1, and prompts a tendency to define the individual through the prism of the disease and its bodily manifestations. In turn, the lack of visibility of disease symptoms gives rise to, especially on the part of the fathers of the sick, opposing attitudes of disease denial, normalization of its symptoms and a tendency to question the disease identity of individuals with NF1. The great intensity of interactional problems concerns especially those families in which NF1 was transmitted through inheritance, and family members blame each other for the disease. This leads to repression and denial of the disease, excluding it from the scope of issues discussed in the family, which is an attempt to avoid the attribution of blame for the disease. The body changes resulting from NF1 have social consequences that are of critical importance in the lives of the sick. The impact of NF1 on family interactions depends on the ways in which the disease is understood by the sick individual and his or her family members. The obtained patient-driven data constitute a convenient starting point for designing personalized interventions supporting individuals with NF1 and their families.

Psychological correlates of the good old days bias in mild traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT Non-neurological factors such as the “expectation as etiology” or the “good old days” bias (EE/GOD bias) may partially explain persistent symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). What is less clear from existing research is the degree to which EE/GOD bias is related to other psychological correlates of persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS). We examined whether the EE/GOD bias was related to illness perception beliefs, intolerance of uncertainty, suggestibility, and domain identification. Participants with MTBI history and without (controls) reported frequency and severity of current PPCS; the MTBI group additionally reported premorbid PPCS. Participants also completed measures of psychological factors potentially associated with PPCS. Consistent with previous studies of the EE/GOD bias, the MTBI group endorsed less premorbid PPCS than current PPCS and when compared to the current symptom report of the control group. The MTBI group also endorsed more current PPCS than the control group. Higher EE/GOD bias was associated with several aspects of illness identity, including belief that symptoms would be more chronic, greater illness-related psychological distress, and greater cogniphobia. Higher EE/GOD bias was also related to higher intolerance of uncertainty and stronger personal identification with memory abilities. Regression showed that perceived symptom timeline, cogniphobia, and domain identification were unique predictors of EE/GOD bias. Findings confirm that the EE/GOD bias is seen in individuals with self-reported history of MTBI and corresponds to other psychological processes that potentially explain ongoing MTBI symptoms, providing greater insight into the potential mechanisms of PPCS. Future studies should examine the EE/GOD bias and associated psychological correlates in a clinical population and also assess for potential neuropsychological correlates. Findings suggest that psychological factors and premorbid symptom report should be considered in clinical assessment and also suggest potential mechanisms of treatment of individuals with acute MTBI or prolonged MTBI symptoms.

BIPOLAR DISORDER EPISODES IN THE PROTAGONIST OF JENNIFER NIVEN’S ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES

This study investigates the depiction of bipolar disorder in Jennifer Niven’s All the Bright Places, focusing on its impact on the protagonist, Theodore Finch. Using a psychological framework, the research draws on Lesmana’s theory of bipolar disorder to analyze the manic and depressive episodes Finch experiences throughout the novel. The narrative vividly portrays Finch’s drastic mood swings, alternating between periods of elevated euphoria and profound depression. This analysis examines how these emotional extremes shape Finch's interactions with others, influence his relationships, and contribute to his suicidal thoughts. Through a deep dive into Finch’s character, the study emphasizes the challenges of living with bipolar disorder, illustrating how the disorder affects both personal identity and social dynamics. The findings reveal that Finch's experiences align with the characteristic patterns of manic and depressive episodes, as outlined in Lesmana’s theory. Ultimately, the research highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues in literature, enriching the conversation on psychological themes and fostering greater empathy for those affected by such conditions.

Preliminary Investigation of a Potential Optical Biosensor Using the Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye Applied to DNA and Friction Ridge Analysis from Fingerprint Traces

Developments in science and technology lead to an increasing use of scientific evidence in litigation. Interdisciplinary research can improve current procedures and introduce new ones for the disclosure and examination of evidence. The dactyloscopic trace is used for personal identification by matching minutiae (the minimum required may vary by country) or for extracting DNA material from the trace under investigation. The research presented in this article aims to propose the merging of two currently used personal identification methods, DNA analysis and dactyloscopic trace analysis, which are currently treated as separate forensic traces found at a crime scene. Namely, the forensic trace to be analyzed is the dactyloscopic trace containing DNA, and both sources of information needed for identification are examined as one. Promega’s Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye, presented as a safe alternative to ethidium bromide, works by binding to single- and double-stranded DNA and is used to visualize the separation of material in a gel and to detect DNA in forensic samples. Spectroscopic studies as absorption and emission spectra and fluorescence microscopy observations presented in our research confirm that Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye can also be used to visualize fingerprints on non-absorbent surfaces and that combining the two methods into one can significantly increase the evidential value and contribute to the design of an innovative fast-acting optical biosensor.

Neurorights, Neurotechnologies and Personal Data: Review of the Challenges of Mental Autonomy

Objective: to present the results of a systematic review of research on the impact of neurotechnology on legal concepts and regulatory frameworks, addressing ethical and social issues related to the protection of individual rights, privacy and mental autonomy.Methods: The systematic literature review was based on the methodology proposed by a renowned British scholar, a professor emerita of computer science at Keele University Barbara Kitchenham, chosen for its flexibility and effectiveness in obtaining results for publication. Thorough searches were carried out with the search terms “neurotechnology”, “personal data”, “mental privacy”, “neuro-rights”, “neurotechnological interventions”, and “neurotechnological discrimination” on both English and Spanish sites, using search engines like Google Scholar and Redib as well as databases including Scielo, Dialnet, Redalyc, Lilacs, Scopus, Medline, and Pubmed. The focus of this research is bibliometric data and its design is non-experimental with a cross-sectional and descriptive, using content analysis based on PRISMA model.Results: the study emphasizes the need to establish clear ethical principles to protect individual rights and promote responsible use of neurotechnologies; a number of problems of mental autonomy were identified, such as improper handling of information, lack of legal security guarantees, violation of rights and freedoms in the medical sphere. The author shows the need to adapt the existing regulatory legal framework to address the ethical and social problems arising from the new neurotechnologies. It is noted that a broad study of neurotechnology issues will contribute to the protection of human rights.Scientific novelty: an expanded understanding of the five neurorights within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is proposed; neurorights are viewed as a new category of rights aimed at protecting mental integrity against the misuse of neurotechnologies. The author justifies the adoption of such technocratic principles as personal identity, free will, mental privacy, equal access and protection against bias.Practical significance: the obtained results are relevant for understanding modern legal concepts related to neurorights and for adapting the existing normative legal acts to solve ethical and social problems arising from the emergence of new technologies, protection of human neurorights and liability for their violation. The study of these issues is key for provision of further responsible development and use of neurotechnologies.

PERSONAL IDENTITY AND THE CHALLENGES OF ITS FULL PROTECTION: AN ESSAY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EXPANSION OF PERSONALITY RIGHTS

This research aims to analyze aspects related to personal identity, especially regarding the conceptualization of this personality right and how it is understood, not only by doctrine, but also by legislation and case law in Brazil. The importance of the topic is due to the need to broaden the understanding of personal identity as a personality right and its repercussions on the full development of each individual, as well as its effective protection. In this sense, this study seeks to identify personal identity as an autonomous personality right, to analyze its protection through the study of legislation and case law, including foreign legislation, and to identify the possible and consequent threats to other personality rights in the face of a possible legal-protective deficit of personal identity. To this end, the study uses the hypothetical-deductive method, with bibliographical analysis as the main methodological procedure.

Self-transformation: The Importance of Education for Adults in the Modern Era

This study explores the transformative role of education for adults in the modern era, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning for personal growth and adaptability. Utilizing a qualitative approach through library research and a comprehensive literature review, this study analyzes the impact of education on self-transformation, focusing on how educational experiences foster changes in identity, critical reflection, and emotional intelligence among adult learners. The findings highlight that education is not only a means of acquiring new skills but also a key factor in reshaping personal identity and fostering adaptability in a rapidly changing world. By engaging in education, adults experience shifts in self-perception, develop enhanced critical thinking skills, and improve their ability to navigate complex social and professional environments. Additionally, the study underscores the role of collaborative learning environments, where interactive and participatory educational settings amplify the transformative potential of education. The process of self-transformation is found to be ongoing, with each educational experience contributing to continuous personal development. This study concludes that educational programs aimed at adults should adopt a holistic approach, addressing both the practical and emotional dimensions of adult learners’ needs. Such programs will enable adults to thrive in the modern era, not only by equipping them with essential skills but also by fostering deeper self-awareness and lifelong growth.

Nudging with Narrative Visualization: Communicating to a Young Adult Audience in the Pandemic

Effective narrative visualization communicates information by integrating story-telling and data visualization in a comprehensible, compelling manner. The compelling aspect of effective narrative visualization consequentially results in the potential to shift the attitude of an audience. However, there is much to understand about how narrative visualization can best be designed to influence target audiences. This paper focuses on an empirical experiment where we examined the effects of two communication strategies - anthropomorphism and personal identification - on a young adult audience. In particular, we wanted to understand which strategy, when integrated into narrative visualization, can nudge a specific audience's attitude towards greater consideration in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results indicated that the personal identification communication strategy was the most successful in nudging participants. This study contributes a better grasp of how technologies such as narrative visualization, using different communication strategies, can deliver more targeted messaging.

Digital Doppelgängers and Lifespan Extension: What Matters?

There is an ongoing debate about the ethics of research on lifespan extension: roughly, using medical technologies to extend biological human lives beyond the current “natural” limit of about 120 years. At the same time, there is an exploding interest in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create “digital twins” of persons, for example by fine-tuning large language models on data specific to particular individuals. In this paper, we consider whether digital twins (or digital doppelgängers, as we refer to them) could be a path toward a kind of life extension—or more precisely, a kind of person extension—that does not rely on biological continuity. We discuss relevant accounts of consciousness and personal identity and argue that digital doppelgängers may at least help us achieve some of the aims or ostensible goods of person-span extension, even if they may not count as literal extensions of our personhood on dominant philosophical accounts. We also consider relational accounts of personhood and discuss how digital doppelgängers may be able to extend personhood in a relational sense, or at least secure some of the goods associated with relevant relationships. We conclude by suggesting that a research program to investigate such issues is relevant to ongoing debates about the ethics of extending the human lifespan.

Информационная гигиена как фактор успешной профессиональной деятельности сотрудников уголовно-исполнительной системы

The article examines the issues of information hygiene as a factor of successful professional activity of employees of the penal correction system in the context of digital transformation. The insufficiency of research on information hygiene in the psychology of professional activity of specialists is emphasized. Information (digital) hygiene is a certain set of norms and rules that ensure optimal interaction with information of various kinds, which, in turn, ensures the preservation of professional health, personal resources, professional and personal identity and is one of the factors of success of professional activity in the context of digital transformation. Recommendations on the observance of information hygiene in the official activities of employees of the penitentiary system are given. The directions of the official activity of employees of the penal enforcement system in which the use of information hygiene is significant are highlighted: interaction with various information tools and software service products; organization of interdepartmental electronic interaction with law enforcement agencies and other federal executive authorities; information support for the activities of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia; information security and protection of information resources of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia; implementation of various projects of digital transformation of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia. Two approaches are proposed in training to improve the level of development of digital hygiene by employees of the penitentiary system: within the framework of higher and additional professional education. Considering information hygiene as a complex professionally important quality and a factor of successful performance of employees of the penal enforcement system, it is quite natural that these aspects can serve as the basis for taking into account and developing criteria for the success of professional activity in the future, an expanded description and characterization of generalized labor functions of professional standards by position, clarification of occupational and psychograms, optimization of procedures for professional selection and professional certification of employees of the penitentiary system in the dynamics of the professional path.

Exploring Identity in Poetry: Love, Loss, and Belonging in Sylvia Plath and Elizabeth Bishop through the Lens of Social Identity Theory

This study leverages Social Identity Theory (SIT) to explore themes of identity, belonging, and relationships in Sylvia Plath's "Mad Girl's Love Song" and Elizabeth Bishop's "One Art." Using a comparative qualitative approach, the research examines how personal and social identities influence the speakers' experiences of love and loss. Plath's poem illustrates a crisis of social identity marked by the speaker's detachment and internal conflict, reflecting struggles with isolation and idealization. In contrast, Bishop portrays loss as a communal experience, highlighting an evolving identity characterized by resilience and acceptance. The findings reveal that while both poets illustrate identity transformations shaped by relationships and loss, they utilize different coping mechanisms—Plath through fantasy and Bishop through pragmatic acceptance. This analysis underscores the intricate relationship between social identity and emotional responses, enhancing our understanding of how societal contexts impact individual identity formation.

Silver Rainbows in The Information Society: Aging-Related Information Needs and Barriers of LGBT+ Older Adults

Abstract Society is experiencing a global shift in which older people now outnumber children five years and younger in many countries. This demographic aging has profound implications for library and information professionals, and yet research into the information needs of older adults – especially from diverse backgrounds – remains underdeveloped. This study seeks to help address this gap by studying the aging-related information needs and barriers of LGBT+ older adults. Interviews with 25 LGBT+ older adults in East Tennessee were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify five need (e.g., culturally competent care, LGBT+ specific services, social support, planning, and caregiver services) and seven barrier (e.g., stigma, discrimination, fewer personal resources, identity concealment, staff limitations, personality, ageism and elder abuse) themes. Beyond the aging focus, the study brings attention to the need for more research on intersectional populations in general and offers one of the first – perhaps only – studies of the information needs of LGBT+ older adults. It also presents a challenge to librarians and other information professionals in considering how to fight inequities for intersectional populations. Future research will consider how to meet needs and address the barriers LGBT+ older adults face.

Marie Pujmanovás Novelle Die Patientin von Doktor Hegel (1931) als Beitrag zur Geschlechterdebatte der Zwischenkriegszeit

Summary In the democratic society of interwar Czechoslovakia, there was a lively discussion about women’s emancipation and the accompanying changes in the gender order. The modernist romance Pacientka dra Hegla [Doctor Hegel’s patient] (1931) by the Czech journalist and writer Marie Pujmanová (1893‒1958) occupies a liberal position in the debate. In the story of a young woman who gives up her plans to marry in favour of a relationship outside wedlock, issues such as female sexual liberation, abortion and free motherhood are topicalised. The article highlights the connections between the romance and gender discourses of the time and examines the ideological stance of the text. Special attention is paid to the stereotyping of the four main characters, who all represent certain concepts of personal identity that were very popular in the 1920 s.

Racing against time: Emergency ambulance dispatches and response times, a register-based study in Region Zealand, Denmark, 2013-2022.

The global strain on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is reflected in the increasing number of emergency ambulance dispatches. Shorter EMS response times have demonstrated some effect on very specific and rare conditions. It is unknown if the increased number of ambulance dispatches compromises response times. This study aimed to describe trends in emergency ambulance dispatches and response times from 2013 to 2022 in Region Zealand, Denmark. Additionally, it aimed to outline the demographic profile of emergency ambulance patients, including age and comorbidities. Using administrative data from the Region Zealand emergency medical dispatch center, a register-based study spanning from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022, was conducted. Data were linked with nationwide registries and priority A (emergency), or B (urgent) ambulance dispatches were included. Trends were examined overall and stratified by catchment areas corresponding to the hospitals with emergency departments in the region. Poisson and ordinal logistic regressions were used to analyze data. The study encompassed 678,789 emergency ambulance dispatches, with 55.0% priority A and 45.0% priority B. Among these, 667,788 had a valid personal identification number allowing for further analysis. Within the study population, females comprised 48.5%, while 49.1% of patients were 65years or more. Overall, 47.5% of patients had no comorbidities, while 7.7% and 44.8% had mild and severe comorbidities, respectively. Emergency ambulance dispatches increased from 56,867 in 2013 to 81,080 in 2022 (143%). Correspondingly, the dispatch incidence rate per 1,000 residents per year increased from 69.2 to 95.5. Stratification by catchment areas revealed significant disparities. The median response time for priority A dispatches increased from 7min:14s in 2013 to 8min:20s in 2022 and for priority B dispatches from 12min:23s to 15min:6s. From 2013 to 2022, emergency ambulance dispatches both priorities A and B increased in absolute numbers and per 1000 residents per year. Ambulance response times also increased for both priorities during the study period. The study shows regional disparities regarding to the rate of emergency ambulance dispatches and response times indicating challenges in resource distribution in the future for maintaining emergency care standards.

De Se Modal Illusions

AbstractResearch on personal identity often relies on imaginary cases and tends to theorize about our nature from the first‐person perspective. In this paper, I argue that a problem arises when we combine the two methods and assess imaginary cases from the first‐person perspective. The problem is that the link between de se imagination and modality is broken. De se imagination regularly gives rise to de se modal illusions. De se modal illusions come in two varieties: there are de se illusions of possibility and de se illusions of impossibility. I present a systematic account of the two types of illusion. I further make the case that the proposed account is compatible with maintaining a general link between imaginability and possibility. I apply the account to two concrete cases and use it to undercut the motivation behind a central theory of personal ontology, Dualism, and a central account of personal persistence, Lockeanism.

Females wanna-be entrepreneurs need empathic heroes

PurposeDespite the well-documented importance of empathy and mentoring in entrepreneurship, there is a need for a deeper understanding of how empathy influences individuals’ “willingness to be mentored”.Design/methodology/approachThis paper investigates gender differences in “Willingness to be mentored” based on the mentor’s types of empathy (cognitive vs affective) and entrepreneurship (social vs for-profit). Drawing on the personal identification and the entrepreneurship literature, we measured the respondents’ “Willingness to be mentored” by manipulating the type of empathy and entrepreneurship and comparing its effect between male and female respondents. Primary survey data were collected from master’s degree students in entrepreneurship from diverse business schools. An explanatory qualitative study on female start-uppers complemented the findings.FindingsThe results from the quantitative study show that female respondents prefer to be mentored by an entrepreneur who exhibits some affective empathy rather than only cognitive empathy, with a preference for a social entrepreneur. The qualitative study confirms the evidence. This research contributes to the discussion on developing social capabilities to succeed in new ventures. It extends our understanding of the importance of empathic entrepreneurs as mentors to foster entrepreneurship among women.Originality/valueTheoretically, we demonstrate the existence of a gender difference in “Willingness to be mentored” based on the type of empathy displayed by the entrepreneur. Additionally, we introduce a new construct in the entrepreneurship literature, “Willingness to be mentored”, and differentiate it from “Attitude toward entrepreneurship”.