On Becoming a Psychologist: Emerging identity in education (Cultural Dynamics of Social Representation)

"On Becoming a Psychologist explores the professional identity construction of psychology students, examining their entry into the psychology profession from a socio-cultural perspective. The book brings together socio-cultural approaches and Dialogical Self Theory to gain comprehensive insight into the developmental processes behind the formation of professional identity. It conceptualises the process of becoming a psychologist as an intrapersonally and interpersonally unique semiotic process of self-regulation that unfolds through dialogical relations with the individual's socio-cultural surroundings. Building on empirical research, the book outlines the results of a longitudinal study of a cohort of psychology students throughout their studies and following their graduation. The study sheds light on how professional role expectations are negotiated between the different aspects of the self, with a particular focus on how the self is positioned throughout the course of professional education. Offering a unique perspective on the socio-cultural construction of professional identity, this book will be of great interest to scholars, researchers and graduate students in the fields of cultural psychology, applied psychology and social psychology"-- Provided by publisher Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Figures Tables Series Editor Preface The Secret Charms of Becoming (and Being) a Psychologist “When somebody says X to me I feel ______ but __________” X→← References Acknowledgements Part I: Persons into professions—A unique path into a professional role Chapter 1: Introduction: Becoming a psychologist—What does that mean? Outline of the book The book consists of four parts and a total of seven chapters What this book is and is not about Who is a psychologist? Why explore prospective psychologists' experiences in a bachelor's program? Why professional identity? Summary References Chapter 2: Theoretical framework: A socio-cultural approach to professional identity construction Professional identity through the lens of cultural psychology Turning socio-cultural meanings into personal meanings: Personal culture in the making Professional identity as a semiotic process, or "All you need is a sign" Pleromatic and schematic sides of one identity: "Hidden" richness and simplifications in processes of identity The construction of professional identity: Regulating the intra-psychological disaccord and accord The dialogical self Multiplicity within the self Microgenetic dynamics of ontogenetic trajectories The regulation of different sub-systems of the self: The ontogenetic path under construction Non-linear transition: I am a psychologist I am not a psychologist Summary References Chapter 3: Introduction to the methodology of the study: Grasping the multilinear and unique developmental process over time A multiple-case study research strategy Abductive inference: The generalization of knowledge in cultural psychology Historically Structured Sampling (HSS) Participants Longitudinal research design Methods: Interviews, questionnaires, essays, and theme completion method (DDTC; Double Direction Theme Completion) Interviews and Questionnaires Essays Rating scales Double Direction Theme Completion (DDTC) method Two kinds of data from DDTC. The coding scheme The professional perspective (I-position I as a psychologist) The personal approach (I-position I as a person) The fluctuation of perspectives The orientation of tension in solutions across the years Description of the profiles of handling tension Summary References Conclusion to Part I References Part II: A psychologist as a sign Chapter 4: Psychologists emerge everywhere: The academic and non-academic voices in the focus From the heterogeneity of microsystems to the multiplicity in the self Non-academic arenas in becoming a psychologist Academic others in the inner dialogue Border under negotiation: psychologists non-psychologist Unfolding bordering across years Respondent Snap's transition during studies of psychology Extracts from the interviews with Snap. Respondent Hei's transition in the academic and non-academic contexts. Respondent Uur's becoming a psychologist through various developmental contexts Summary References Chapter 5: A sign of a psychologist as an organizer "I am different now" Re-negotiation borders between what IS and what SHOULD be Summary References Conclusion to Part II Reference Part III: Becoming a psychologist: The multiple life trajectories Chapter 6: Thirteen pathways to entering the professional role Introduction Thirteen unique trajectories of becoming a psychologist The trajectories of coordinating different sub-systems in the self and regulation of tension Self-professionalizing cases Respondent 6a—Vik Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Vik Respondent 6b—Snap Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Snap Respondent 6c—Uur Solutions to items from DDTC Summary of case Uur Respondent 6d—Mes Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Mes Respondent 6e—Hei Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Hei Respondent 6f—Ris Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Ris Respondent 6g—Aet Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Aet Self-personalizing cases Respondent 6h—Gar Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Gar Respondent 6i—Par Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Par Self-maintaining cases Respondent 6j—Ele Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Ele Respondent 6k—Pai Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Pai Respondent 6l—Ain Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Ain Respondent 6m—Eri Solutions to the items from DDTC Summary of case Eri Summary of the general findings The various reasons behind the emergence of professional trajectory The main generic developmental directions Dynamics in applying different approaches to the dilemmas Utilization of a professional approach in solutions to professional dilemmas Solutions to dilemmas according to the approach Specific dilemmas and the application of I-positions Dynamics in the use of the I-positions in solutions to dilemmas Handling tensions: Regulating affective relations with the professional role The dynamics of tension in the specific dilemmas Regulation of tension among the thirteen cases Conclusion Reference Conclusion to Part III Part IV: General implications: Basic principles of the socio-cultural construction of professional identity Chapter 7: The construction of professional identity through the lens of cultural psychology The general principles of assuming a professional role Unique non-linear trajectories of entry into the role Regulation of the discrepancy: Moving toward "what should be" Role-centered and person-centered ways of being a psychologist Others in the self Navigating a plurality of meanings References Concluding thoughts: The future in construction References Appendix The dilemmas from DDTC Index