Non-Western Identity: Research and Perspectives (Identity in a Changing World)

Identity is a construct strongly rooted and still predominantly studied in Western (or WEIRD; Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic) contexts (e.g., North American and Western European). Only recently has there been more of a conscious effort to study identity in non-Western (or non-WEIRD) contexts. This edited volume investigates identity from primarily a non-Western perspective by studying non-Western contexts and non-Western, minority, or immigrant groups living in Western contexts. The contributions (a) examine different aspects of identity (e.g., personal identity, social identity, online identity) as either independent or interrelated constructs; (b) consider the associations of these constructs with aspects of intergroup relations, acculturative processes, and/or psychological well-being; (c) document the advancement in research on identity in underrepresented groups, contexts, and regions such as Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South America; and (d) evaluate different approaches to the study of identity and the implications thereof. This book is intended for cultural or cross-cultural academics, practitioners, educators, social workers, postgraduate students, undergraduate students, and scholars interested in studying identity. It provides insight into how identity in non-Western groups and contexts may both be informed by and may inform Western theoretical perspectives. Foreword References Reviewers Acknowledgments Contents Contributors About the Contributors Chapter 1: Introduction Introduction Overview Concluding Remarks References Part I: Identity in Underrepresented World Regions and Contexts Chapter 2: Identity in Sub-Saharan Africa Introduction The Contextual Setting of Sub-Saharan Africa Conceptual, Theoretical, and Empirical Themes in Identity in the Sub-Saharan African Context African Philosophy/ies: What Does It Mean to Be African? Ubuntu? The Individualism–Collectivism Debate The Role of the Colonizer: Indigenous and Postcolonial Identities National, Ethnic, and Cultural Identities Language Globalization and Transition Acculturation Religion and Spirituality Symbols, Stories, Poetry, and Folklore Future Directions and Implications for Sub-Saharan African Identity Research References Chapter 3: Identity Development in East Asia Introduction Identity Individualism and Collectivism Identity Formation and the Cultural Emphasis on Collectivism Identity Formation in a Society Moving from Collectivism to Individualism New Exercises in Identity Development Personality Development Theory Attachment Theory Future Work: Understanding of Cultural Meaning in Identity Development Conclusion References Chapter 4: My Social, Political, and Hybrid Self: Identity in Central and South America Introduction Contexts of Identity Development in Latin America Traditional or Heritage Identities in Latin America Global or Western Identities Hybrid Identities Additional Components, Functions, and Qualities of Identity Policy Implications Conclusion and Suggestions for Further Research References Chapter 5: Caribbean SHIFT: A Theory of Cultural Identity for Caribbean People and Diaspora Introduction Contributions to a Cultural Psychology of Identity Conceptual Framework Defining Narrative and Performative Aspects of Cultural Identity Transience: A Central Theme in the Caribbean Story and Lived Reality Themes of Narrative Caribbean Cultural Identity Displacement Resistance Continuity Essentialism Themes of Performative Caribbean Cultural Identity Flexible Hybridity Negative Interpretations of Hybridity as Pathology Hybridity as Positive Adaptation The Role of Diversity in Constructing Flexible Hybridity Transcendence Transnational Caribbean Identities Transcultural Black Identities The Issue of Hegemony and Transcendence Remittance Cultural Remittance from Home to Host Country Cultural Remittance from Host Country to Home A Hypothesized Caribbean SHIFT Model Methodological Implications and Future Directions Conclusion References Chapter 6: National and Ethnoreligious Identities in Multicultural Mauritius: Group Positions and Belonging Introduction Factsheet on the Making of a Cultural Mosaic: Mauritius Endorsement of Diversity Ideologies and Group Positions Multiculturalism at the Individual Level: Diverse (Compatible) Cultural Identities Taking Stock of the Mauritian “Vivre Ensemble” Future Directions Conclusions References Chapter 7: Identities in the South Caucasus: Still Salient and Contested Introduction Personal Identity in the South Caucasus Personal Identity Formation Processes and Profiles in Goals, Plans, and Values Domains Psychological Antecedents of Personal Identity Resolution Family Role/Parenting for Personal Identity Social Identities in the South Caucasus Gender Identity National Identity Ethnic Identity Religious Identity Directions for Future Research Conclusion References Chapter 8: Multiple Social Identities in the Post-Soviet Context Introduction Crisis of Social Identity After the Collapse of the USSR and Its Consequences The Vectors of Changes in the System of Self-Identification After the Collapse of the USSR Research on Different Types of Identities Ethnic Identity or Ethnic Self-Consciousness Religious Identity Civic Identity Regional Identity Studies of Social Identity in the Context of Modern Sociocultural Changes Conclusion, Implications, and Future Directions Implications Future Directions References Part II: Identity of Specific Non-Western Groups Chapter 9: Roma Ethnic Identity: Who Is and Who Is Not Roma? Between Self-Defined and External Ethnic Identification Introduction Roma Ethic Identity and Ethnic Identification Outgroup Roma Identification: Fieldwork Results in Romania Roma Ethnic Identity: Between National Identity Endorsement and Dissolution Implications for Policy and Practice References Chapter 10: Being a Muslim in the Western World: A Social Identity Perspective Introduction Social Identity Perspective Religious Identity and Identity Dimensions Multiple Group Identifications Identity Incompatibility Variation in Identity (In)Compatibility Subjective Representations Intragroup Processes Intergroup Processes Shaping the Context Conclusion References Chapter 11: Falling Outside Identity: The Creation and Boundaries of Turkish National Identity and Its Consequences for Minorities Introduction Complexities of Turkish National Identity Identity Recognition and Common Ingroups The Formation of Turkish National Identity Contents of National Identity: Any Space for Citizenship? Denial and Exclusion of Differences in Turkish National Identity Turkishness and Minority Identities in Contemporary Research Naming Turkish Identity Future Directions for Research on Minority Identities Conclusion References Chapter 12: Cathedrals of the Spirit: Indigenous Relational Cultural Identity and Social and Emotional Well-Being Introduction Cultural Genocide Reclaiming Cultural Identity Cultural Identity as Relational Cultural Identity and Social and Emotional Well-being Conclusion: Cultural Identity and Self-Determination References Part III: Identity Perspectives Important for Non-Western Context Chapter 13: Perspectives on Personal Identity Development in Western and Non-Western Contexts Introduction Conceptualizations of Personal Identity: Developmental Perspectives Personal Identity Development in the Western World Personal Identity in the Non-Western World Etic Approaches for Studying Personal Identity Emic Approaches for Studying Personal Identity Future Direction for Personal Identity in Non-Western Contexts Conclusion References Chapter 14: From the Self to the Selfie Introduction An Action-Centered Perspective Becoming an Expert User of Memes The Care of the Selfie Conclusions References Chapter 15: Variations in Sources of Self-Affirmation: What Can Be Learned from Non-Western Contexts Introduction What Is Identity Threat in Intergroup Contexts? Social Identity Threat Types and Responses Who Experiences Threats to Their Identity? How Do People Self-Affirm in the Face of Social Identity Threat? Self-Affirmation Group Affirmation Self-Affirmation in Non-Western Contexts Toward Investigating More Diverse Populations: Lebanon Managing Threat in Lebanon Conclusion and Perspective Recommendations for Future Research References Chapter 16: Conceptualizing Work Identity in Non-Western Contexts Introduction Work Identity Overview of Studies What Do We Know About Work Identity in Non-Western Contexts? Future Directions: Considering a Critical and Postcolonial Appraisal of Work Identity Conclusion Appendix A: Outcome of Systematic Review Process References Index