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Analysing Identity

Cross-Cultural, Societal and Clinical Contexts

• Edited by Peter Weinreich, Wendy Saunderson

• Price: $70.00
• Binding: Hardback
• Pages: 416
• Published by: Routledge
• Publication Date: 19th December 2002
• Illustrations: 102 figures
• ISBN: 978-0-415-29897-1

About the Book

People's identities are addressed and brought into being by interaction with others. Identity processes encompass biographical experiences, historical eras and cultural norms in which the self's autonomy varies according to the flux of power relationships with others.
Identity Structure Analysis (ISA) draws upon psychological, sociological and social anthropological theory and evidence to formulate a system of concepts that help explain the notion of identity. They can be applied to the practical investigations of identity structure and identity development in a number of clinical, societal and cultural settings. This book includes topics on national and ethnic identification in multicultural contexts and gender identity relating to social context and the urban environment. Clinical applications that describe identity processes associated with psychological distress are also examined. These include anorexia nervosa and vicarious traumatisation of counsellors in the aftermath of atrocity.
Analysing Identity is unique in its development of this integrative conceptualisation of self and identity, and its operationalisation in practice. This innovative book will appeal to academics and professionals in developmental, social, cross-cultural, clinical and educational psychology and psychotherapy. It will also be of interest to those involved with sociology, political science, gender studies, ethnic studies and social policy.

Reviews

This volume provides a coherent and interesting exposition of Identity Structure Analysis, a research procedure developed over the past several decades. To my knowledge, there is no existing publication that explores this procedure in anything like the depth that is presented here. - Peter B. Smith, University of Sussex

This groundbreaking book presents a conceptually sophisticated and empirically grounded method to understand the complexities of cultural identity ... I highly recommend it for clinicians as well as researchers. You will never see identity the same again! - Francis G. Lu, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco

Table of Contents

Part 1: Theory and Practice. P. Weinreich, Identity Structure Analysis. P. Weinreich, Identity Exploration: Theory into Practice. The Theoretical and Empirical Studies. Part 2: Cross-cultural Issues. P. Weinreich, V. Bacova, N. Rougier, Basic Primodialism in Ethnic and National Identity. G. Horenczyk, S. Munayer, Complex Patterns of Cultural Allegiances: The Ethnic Identity of Palestinian Christian Arab Adolescents in Israel. Part 3: Societal Issues. K. Stapleton, J. Wilson, Grounding the Discursive Self: A Case Study in ISA and Discursive Psychology. M. Wager, Complex Identities: The Case of Academic Women. W. Saunderson, The City, Gender and Identity. H. Irvine, Adults Returning to Education: Gender and Identity Processes. A. MacNabb, Enterprising Identities: Gender and Family Influences. Part 4: Clinical Issues. P.D.G. Harris, Identity Formulation and Reformulation in Clinical Assessment and Therapy. W. Saunderson, M. O'Kane, Anorexia Nervosa: Analysing Identity for Predisposing, Precipitating and Perpetuating Factors. S. Black, P. Weinreich, An Exploration of Counselling Identity in Counsellors Who Deal with Trauma. P. Weinreich, Coda. Appendix: A Bibliography of Selected ISA Research. Author Index. Subject Index.

About the Author(s)

Peter Weinreich has a Personal Chair in the School of Psychology at the University of Ulster.
Wendy Saunderson lectures in the School of Policy Studies at the University of Ulster.