Examining the Relationship Between Conventional Versus Idiosyncratic Role-Identity Meanings and Identity Commitment

Abstract

Role identity meanings consist of two dimensions: a conventional dimension (representing role identity meanings that are socialized via society or the collective) and an idiosyncratic dimension (representing unique or individual identity meanings one defines for engaging in a role). In the identity literature, these distinctions have mostly been theoretical and assumed. However, recent empirical research has begun to examine how the balance of conventional versus idiosyncratic role identity meanings functions within the self. In this article, we contribute to the literature by presenting the results of a study that examines how the balance of conventional versus idiosyncratic role identity meanings relates to identity commitment. We administer a survey to 934 study participants that measures the conventional/idiosyncratic balance and commitment to the student, worker, and friend role identities. Our results show that, generally, the more conventionally defined one's role identities, the greater one's commitment to the identities.