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Co-Constructed Interpersonal Perceptions Of Self: Meaning-Making In The Astrological Consultation Item Type Thesis Authors Richey, Jean Alice Download date 27/09/2021 04:34:13 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/11122/8543 INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. 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CO-CONSTRUCTED INTERPERSONAL PERCEPTIONS OF SELF: MEANING-MAKING IN THE ASTROLOGICAL CONSULTATION A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS By Jean Alice Richey, B.A. Fairbanks, Alaska May 2001 © 2001 Jean Alice Richey Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 1403487 Copyright 2001 by Richey, Jean Alice All rights reserved. UMI__ ® UMI Microform 1403487 Copyright 2001 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. CO-CONSTRUCTED INTERPERSONAL PERCEPTIONS OF SELF: MEANING-MAKING IN THE ASTROLOGICAL CONSULTATION By Jean Richey RECOMMENDED: J. Leipzig Dr. P. McWherter 7 Advisory Committee Co-Chair Dr. J. Brown Advisory Committee Co-Chair )r. J. Brown Department Head APPROVED: E^e&n of the Graduate School " ! d - Q - - 06 Date Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 3 ABSTRACT This research study employs qualitative narrative analysis in order to develop an understanding of co-constructed meaning of self-identity within the astrological practitioner-client relationship. The literature review includes theoretical perspectives from interpersonal communication, the social construction of reality and o f self-identity, and transpersonal studies. Three emergent themes from six narrative interviews are discussed in regard to co-constructed constitutive interpretations of self-identity: (1) cultural stranger/insider standpoint, (2) worldview metaphors, (3) and recognition of a socially embedded self. The consultation narrative illustrates the constitution of identity in interaction with an other who is afforded the status of "professional" regarding the interaction itself. Like therapeutic interactions between self and health care practitioners, the interaction between consultant and the astrological information seeker is a context unusually sensitive to the information that makes self visible to the evolution of identity. Such interaction carries a cultural expectation of the constitutive nature and power of communication. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS........................................................................................................ 5 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................... 6 I. LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................8 H. METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................ 14 Co-Researcher Interviews............................................................................................17 Methods of Analysis....................................................................................................21 IE. NARRATIVE PERSPECTIVE....................................................................................24 Helena's Narrative Interview......................................................................................27 Sonny's Narrative Interview.......................................................................................32 Diana's Narrative Interview........................................................................................37 Marsha's Narrative Interview......................................................................................43 Laurel's Narrative Interview.......................................................................................48 Chorie's Narrative Interview....................................................................................... 51 Narrative Summary......................................................................................................54 IV. NARRATIVE ANALYSIS...........................................................................................56 An Analysis Augmentation: Pilot Study Emergent Themes....................................58 Narrative Emergent Themes.......................................................................................59 Cultural Stranger/Insider Standpoint................................................................61 Worldview Metaphors.......................................................................................64 Recognition of a Socially Embedded Self.......................................................68 Summary..................................................................................................................... 71 REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................73 APPENDIX A. Informed Consent Form....................................................................................................78 B. Astrological Signs & Keywords Reference.................................................................... 79 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I owe a debt of gratitude to all the special people who supported me throughout this project, especially from the Department of Communication. I give my heartfelt "thanks" to Dr. Jin Brown, Professor of Communication, for his dedicated mentorship, fine mind, humor, "fix it" capability, and expertise in the discipline of Communication. He turned my academic attention toward the study of Communication during my undergraduate years, the study of which has become a passion for me equal to previous epistemological endeavors. I will always be grateful to Dr. Pamela McWherter, Assistant Professor of Communication, whose dedicated academic service and undying faith in me helped lay the foundation for this study. She encouraged me to follow an untried academic path in the discipline of Communication, so that I could incorporate my heart and soul into the process of knowledge and understanding creation. Her unique fiery passion for knowledge exploration, equality, and "waking y'all up" has continued to inspire me throughout this journey. Another special "thanks" goes to Dr. John Leipzig, the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, who took the time to serve on my thesis committee. He offered his sharp wit and vast knowledge regarding the discipline of Communication to my work as well as his appropriate skepticism, being the "tribalized logical positivist" that he is. The mantra of Human Communication has become a deeply understood process through this work in meaning-making and will continue to inspire my academic career— all human reality is created, maintained, and transformed in human communication. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 6 INTRODUCTION The contextual belief system that individuals choose to practice self-reflection and self-understanding undergirds their perceptual framework of reality. One such belief system, the study and practice of astrology, is so specialized and technical in its practical application that individuals interested in utilizing this specialized form of inquiry must consult with an expert