Motivated Identity Construction in a Cultural
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MOTIVATED IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION IN A CULTURAL CONTEXT MARIANA MARTIN FEBRUARY 2014 i MOTIVATED IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION IN A CULTURAL CONTEXT A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY) OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA BY MARIANA MARTIN FEBRUARY 2014 SUPERVISOR: DR ARMAS E. E. SHIKONGO ii ABSTRACT The present study investigated the concept of motivated identity construction, using a sample of 104 participants who were recruited through convenient sampling. The following motives were selected: self-esteem, continuity, belonging, efficacy, distinctiveness and meaning. These were the motives that previous studies found to be centrally involved in the process of identity construction. The key role of culture in identity construction was also critically investigated. The study used a quantitative approach and employed an already existing questionnaire for data collection. The participants‘ cultural orientation towards individualism/ collectivism was determined by measuring their beliefs about personhood and their degree of religiosity. The data was analysed using independent-samples t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study found statistically significant differences between males and females in relation to the motive of efficacy. In terms of age, the study also found a statistically significant difference between the participants who were below 18 years of age and those who were at least 18 years of age when the two age groups were compared in relation to the meaning motive. However, the magnitude of the differences in the means was small. The study did not find any statistically significant differences in relation to the following motives: belonging, continuity, distinctiveness, efficacy, meaning and positive self-esteem between the various cultural groupings compared. These findings suggest that those identity motives seem to be equally applicable to individuals from different cultural backgrounds. iii DECLARATIONS I, Mariana Martin, declare hereby that this study is a true reflection of my own research, and that this work, or part thereof has not been submitted for a degree in any other institution of higher education. No part of this thesis may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by means (e.g. electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior permission of the author, or The University of Namibia in that behalf. I, Mariana Martin, grant The University of Namibia the right to reproduce this thesis in whole or in part, in any manner or format, which The University of Namibia may deem fit, for any person or institution requiring it for study and research; providing that The University of Namibia shall waive this right if the whole thesis has been or is being published in a manner satisfactory to the University. ………………………………. Date…………………………….. Mariana Martin iv DEDICATION This thesis is primarily dedicated to my beloved late sister, Maria-Goretti Amutse, for having believed in my ability to excel and for the immense love she has shown me. This thesis is, further, dedicated to my mother, Rosina Ipumbu, for being an exemplary person, to my sister Frederika Shigwedha (Amutse) for her faith in me and to my sister Esther Itoolwa (Kotze) for propelling me to be the individual she can look up to. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “One piece of log creates a small fire, adequate to warm you up, add just a few more pieces to blast an immense bonfire, large enough to warm up your entire circle of friends; needless to say that individuality counts, but teamwork dynamites”. ~ Jin Kwon To Dr Maja Becker, Miss Ellinor Owe and Dr Vivian L. Vignoles from the University of Sussex, UK for firstly inciting my interest in the field of identity construction and for your tireless mentoring. Without you, the motives of identity construction might have remained unexplored in the Namibian context. To my supervisor, Dr A. Shikongo, for your readiness to jump aboard the last minute. The role you played in guiding me with the formation of this thesis has been crucial to its materialisation. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to you. To the principals of the A. Shipena Secondary School, Augustineum Secondary School, David Bezuidenhout High School and the Jakob Marengo Tutorial College for allowing me to conduct my study at their schools. Additionally, my gratitude is extended to the grade 11 teachers of these schools for their assistance in the distribution and collection of the questionnaires and to the grade 11 students of the same schools for using their valuable time to participate in the study. Finally, to all my friends, family, colleagues and everyone that has encouraged, supported me or has in any way contributed to the development of this thesis. Above all, I thank the heavenly Father for the strength, perseverance and countless blessings bestowed upon me during this testing time vi CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................. ii DECLARATIONS .................................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION ........................................................................................................................ iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... v CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................ vi LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Orientation of Study ....................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Problem Statement ......................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Justification of the Study ............................................................................................... 4 1.4 Research Objectives ....................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Research Hypotheses ..................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Definition and Operationalisation of Key Terms ........................................................... 6 1.6.1. Identity ................................................................................................................... 6 1.6.2. Identity Construction.............................................................................................. 7 1.6.3. Culture ................................................................................................................... 8 1.6.4 Cultural Orientation: Individualistic and Collectivistic Continuum ...................... 9 1.6.5. Identity Motives .................................................................................................... 10 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................ 13 2.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 13 2.1 Culture.......................................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Cultural Orientations: Individualist and Collectivist ................................................... 17 2.3 Identity and Identity Construction ............................................................................... 22 2.4 Theories on Identity Construction................................................................................ 26 vii 2.4.1 Social Identity Theory ........................................................................................... 27 2.4.2 Social Constructivist Theory ................................................................................. 28 2.4.3 Identity Theory ...................................................................................................... 28 2.4.4 Theory of Self-Development .................................................................................. 29 2.4.5 Developmental Theory of Vygotsky ....................................................................... 29 2.4.6 Systems Theory, Ecological Theory & Self-Representation Theory ..................... 30 2.5 Identity Motives ........................................................................................................... 30 2.6 Theories on Identity Motives ....................................................................................... 38 2.7 Summary ...................................................................................................................... 40 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY......................................................... 42 3.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 42 3.1 Research Setting ..........................................................................................................