Master Narrative Identity Development in Cultural Context: The Role of Deviating from Master Narratives.

Abstract

Objective: The great majority of research on identity and personality development has focused on individual processes of development, to the relative neglect of the cultural context of development. We employ a recently articulated framework for the examination of identity development in context, centered on the construct of master narratives, or culturally shared stories. Method: Across three studies we asked emerging and mid-life adults (n = 512) to narrate personal experiences of deviations from these master narratives. Results: Across three quantitative studies we show that 1) those who elaborated their deviation experiences were more likely to be in structurally marginalized positions in society (e.g., ethnic or sexual minorities); 2) those who elaborated an empowering alternative to the master narrative were more likely to be engaged in identity processes; and 3) master narratives maintain their rigidity by the frequency of their use. In qualitative analyses, we illustrate the rigidity of master narratives, as well as the degree to which they take shape in social and group experiences. Conclusions: These studies emphasize the importance of cultural context in considering personality and identity development.

Encultured minds, not error reduction minds

“…How should we understand that some cultured agents seek and tolerate the uncertainty of questioning their identity beyond social norms and voluntarily go about a long process of thinking autonomously about themselves, rather than using norms as an antidote to this uncertainty? Mclean and colleagues (McLean & Syed 2015;McLean et al 2017) make similar observations in their research on identity development, which focus on the relationship of identity and society in personal narratives. This team focuses on the narratives that are the cultural templates for the experiences one should expect to have in their lives, which they call master narratives.…”

Personal identity development in cultural context: The socialization of master narratives about the gendered life course

“…The framework suggests that one mechanism of change and rigidity comes through personal identity development processes, with greater identity work particularly important for processes of change. For example, those who are engaged with alternative narratives are also engaged with more identity work (McLean et al, 2017a; McLean, Shucard, & Syed, 2017b). Another obvious developmental mechanism of change and rigidity is socialization, which has not yet been empirically addressed within the master narrative framework.…”

“… RQ2: Are narrative patterns in the deviations related to identity development processes (Study 1a)? We expected that those who deviated and elaborated an alternative narrative would report greater identity development processes (McLean et al, 2017a, 2017b), specifically – making more explicit narrative connections between an event and the self, and higher scores on identity exploration. RQ3: How are master narratives negotiated and socialized? We addressed this through interviews about retrospective reports of perceptions of socialization experiences (Study 1b), and observations of mother–adolescent conversations (Study 2).…”

“…RQ2: Are narrative patterns in the deviations related to identity development processes (Study 1a)? We expected that those who deviated and elaborated an alternative narrative would report greater identity development processes (McLean et al, 2017a, 2017b), specifically – making more explicit narrative connections between an event and the self, and higher scores on identity exploration.…”

Choosing a Markov blanket

“…A particularly relevant result is that individuals who develop alternative narratives (i.e., changed relative to the master narrative) are also engaged with more identity work (McLean et al 2017). Specifically, it was found that those who develop alternative narratives made a greater number of explicit connections between life events and their selves and displayed higher levels of identity exploration.…”