Relationships among Multiple Identities

Abstract

One question that has been only minimally examined in Identity Theory concerns the relationship among the several identities that any individual holds. This paper examines the manner in which the multiple identities that an individual holds are related to each other and the consequences of that relationship for behavior, the identities involved, and identity functioning. Eight general principles (hypotheses) are presented outlining a program for future research. This program is initiated with a test of one of the hypotheses though an examination of the relationship between a task leadership identity and a socialemotional (SE) leadership identity. Using data from four-person problem-solving groups, I examine the influence of these identities on task and SE leadership performance over time under different structural conditions. While prior work has emphasized shared meanings as the basis for a relationship, I find that both structural factors and performance factors also shape the relationship.