Identity processing style, self-construction, and personal epistemic assumptions: A social-cognitive perspective

Abstract

A social-cognitive model of identity is presented. Identity is conceptualized as a self-theory, a conceptual structure composed of self-representational and self-regulatory constructs. It is postulated that individuals have different identity processing styles and function as different types of self-theorists: information-oriented problem solvers and decision makers; normative types who conform to the prescriptions of significant others; and diffuse-avoidant theorists who procrastinate and attempt to avoid dealing with identity-relevant conflicts. The role that personal epistemic assumptions play in self-theorizing and the possibility that epistemic assumptions contribute to individual differences in identity style are considered.