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.

Of particular note is the availability of new software, Ipseus, which facilitates ISA for use by practitioners. It enables them to enhance their professional skills by ascertaining their clients' perspectives on self as located in the social world. This has been successfully used with pre-school three to five year-old children, and all other age-ranges through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Ipseus is designed to be used in inter-cultural contexts and appeals to practitioners for their input for the generation of customized identity instruments (see www.identityexploration.com).

About the Author

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.

Reviews

"One cannot be but impressed by the wide range of issues the ISA theory of Peter Weinreich very successfully encompasses. There are two principal explanations for the adaptability of the ISA framework. First of all the extended definition of personal identity that is at the core of ISA theory: "A person's identity is defined as the totality of one's self-construal, in which how one construes oneself in the present expresses the continuity between how one construes oneself as one was in the past and how one construes one-self as one aspires to be in the future." (p.26). Secondly the high variety of operationalisations that the Identity Exploration computer software proposed by the author makes possible. The operationalisations are mainly based on bipolar ratings of the self, significant others, membership groups and other groups on a set of scales which may bear on past, present as well as future aspects of the described targets. A multiplicity of patterns of possible relationships in these descriptions are singled out and are theoretically defined." - Willem Doise, Universite de Geneve, European Bulletin of Social Psychology, Vol. 16, No. 2

"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

One cannot but be impressed by the wide range of issues the ISA theory of Peter Weinreich very successfully encompasses. - Willem Doise, University of Geneva, in the European Bulletin of Social Psychology

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 grand project is both helpful and enlightening. Congratulations to all concerned on a mighty piece of work. - Rom Harre, Linacre College, University of Oxford, and University of Georgetown, Washington

I am very impressed with the ISA framework. I am confident that ISA provides an extraordinary and powerful resource for the field [of traumatology] that will force a paradigm shift in the way we understand, assess, and treat the traumatized. - Charles Figley, Florida State University, and Editor of 'Traumatology'

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

It is impossible to adequately capture the richness of the thinking and the systematic linking of theoretical reflection and applied research which is on offer from this book. - John Doyle in 'The Irish Psychologist'

This groundbreaking book presents a conceptually sophisticated and empirically grounded method to understand the complexities of cultural identity ... As someone who has taught psychiatric residents and other mental health professionals in this area for many years, I highly recommend [this book] for clinicians as well as researchers. - Francis G. Lu, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco

Book Information
ISBN 9780415645812
Author Peter Weinreich
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 725g