Authentic identity as an achievement

Abstract

This chapter outlines a discursive psychological (DP) approach to authentic identities. DP is the study of how and for what people manage psychological issues such as category membership, identity and authenticity within sequences of interaction. It assumes that discourse (claims, descriptions, accounts) is constructed and constructive, action-oriented, and produced in and for the local context. A DP approach is thus not concerned with who a person 'really is', but how the authenticity of an identity is worked up and what this achieves. We illustrate this approach by (re)analysing extracts drawn from published studies of youth subcultures, football fans, online discussion forums and support groups. We identify common discursive strategies, such as drawing contrasts with non-genuine members and ascribing the 'right' (or wrong) motives or attributes to self, and show how they are used to claim (or reject) the authenticity of various identities. We explain that such claims are 'recipient designed': they require ratification by the interlocutor. They are also 'action-oriented' in that they attend to members' concerns such as interactional and inferential issues. We conclude by summarising DP's potential contribution to understanding authentic identities.

Married to Monet: Alternatives for complex asset division in the modern age of matrimony

“…108 Mr. Mugrabi at the time was reported to own the world's largest private holding of Warhols (close to 1000), and Ms. Mugrabi was well-noted for having rather expensive six-figure, designer tastes. 109 The divorce is primarily known for exposing the "elite tier of the art market, where multi-million dollar transactions are done not out of blue-chip galleries or art fairs, but at extravagant dinner parties and stately country houses." 110 Following a "skinny-dipping incident," 111 Ms. Mugrabi offered to leave the marriage for $10 million; however, while she was busy lawyering up, Mr. Mugrabi allegedly took $200 million in art thought be placed in offshore accounts in the event of a divorce, which did eventually ensue.…”