Analysing Identity: Cross-Cultural, Societal and Clinical Contexts [Hardcover]

Peter Weinreich (Editor), Wendy Saunderson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 24, 2003

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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

 

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (January 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415298970
• ISBN-13: 978-0415298971
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,076,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Landmark Opus on Understanding Cultural Identity!, October 26, 2004

By 

Francis G. Lu "Luke & Grace Kim Endowed Profe... (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Analysing Identity: Cross-Cultural, Societal and Clinical Contexts (Hardcover)

This groundbreaking book presents a conceptually sophisticated and empirically grounded method to understand the complexities of cultural identity. The first section begins with a brilliant summary of the pertinent literature written in an accessible style with helpful major definitions and concepts clearly demarcated. It leads to an empirical method that combines both universal and local constructs of identity that can be customized by the individual. It was just simply thrilling and breathtaking how the writer conveyed the reality of identity as multiple aspects of identity as one's self-construal moving in flux/process vs. a single fixed objective entity. The second section on cultural issues further elaborated on the first section. The chapter on understanding the identity of a Palestinian Christian Arab adolescent with Israeli citizenship elegantly demonstrated the value of the empirical method described in the first section; beyond the complexity of the objective categories lay the range of self-construal possibilities from a fragmented, conflicted identity to a more integrated one. The third section deals with social issues and focuses on gender. The final section presents three clinical applications involving psychotherapy, anorexia nervosa and trauma. As someone who has taught psychiatric residents and other mental health professionals in this area for many years, I highly recommend it for clinicians as well as researchers. You will never see identity the same again!