topics: [[identity]]
If our identities are intrinsic to us, the process of “forming” our identities would be a process of discovering our true character.
Waterman, Alan - 1984 - Identity Formation - Discovery or Creation says that, in this metaphor, the elements making up our identities can be found in our abilities and talents; we aught to prioritize intrinsic rewards and what “feels right”; and our sense of having resolved our identity is primarily intuitive – but if multiple contradictory things “feel right”, we may have to turn to rational decision-making.
Identity formation as discovery is closely linked with the concept of “daimon”, or true self, and our pursuit of it (“eudemonia”).
In contrast, Waterman also suggests the possibility of identity formation as creation – whereby there is no true or intrinsic self, and the possibilities in how we structure ourselves are limitless. The elements that make up our identities in this case are our histories, role-models, and feedback; we might experiment with both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards; and a sense of resolved identity will rely more on rationality than in the case of formation-as-discovery.
one way to transcend this dichotomy is to expand on the idea that integration is facilitated by dialoguing with our past, present, and future selves – perhaps part of what we’re integrating is our created / developed / experiencing self with our discovered / intrinsic / knowing self.
[!trailhead]- trails
⬆️{1.1} identity as self-definition➡️ {1.1c} a strong sense of identity requires a sense of continuity {1.1c} a strong sense of identity requires a sense of continuity
combined identity formation as discovery and identity formation as creation, archived both.
linked to note on integration