IDENTITY AS A DYNAMIC HIERARCHICAL SYSTEM: SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT OF FORMATION

Abstract

In accordance with the methodology of the constructivist approach, the personal identity manifested as a unique self-image is regarded  as a dynamic hierarchical system. Under the approach based on M.  Kuhn and T. McPartland’s test, we have developed and put into  practice a special questionnaire, which allows ranking 16 categories  in terms of their importance. These categories reflect social role  components of identity in the main spheres of life, thus presenting  an individual or a group identity structure as an orderly hierarchy.  Based on a sample of 1251 students of various sex, age, nationality, confession, residence and field of study, we have proved  that affiliation to a certain social or cultural group influences the  hierarchy of identity components. The study has shown that gender  and professional affiliation are of highest impact on the significance of identity components, as well as, albeit less  substantial, belonging to a particular ethnoreligious group and being  the resident of a certain region. Sociocultural affiliation in all  instances was an important differentiating characteristic, which  determined the disparities in significance of the respective basis of  the identity in the hierarchy. At the  same time, sociocultural  affiliation in most cases had an effect on the importance of less than  a half of the other identity components, thus determining the  general structure of the identity. In conclusion, gender, educational  and professional, ethnic, confessional or regional sociocultural group  is a significant social determinant of personal development in the  formation of the self-image hierarchy, which underlies the characteristics and structure of one’s identity.