SI0036 Human Development Spring Semester

Seminar 3: Possible selves

Contact: Higginscf@cardiff.ac.uk
Read the following: Kerpelman, J. L. & Pittman, J. F. 2001. The instability of
possible selves: Identity processes within late adolescents close peer
relationships. Journal of Adolescence. 24. Pp. 491-512. Available: Learning
Central. This paper explores the stability of three possible selves associated with
the major roles of adulthood: career, marriage and parenthood. With this in
mind, answer the following questions:
1. How do they define possible selves in the paper? (Anticipated identities
of career, marriage, and parenthood). Although they are not true, they are
developing. They consist of organised self-views and perceived
expectations from others. They also emerge in affectively significant
relationships. Identity exploration and construction are involved. As
adolescents explore their possible selves and set goals for attaining them,
they are engaging in the work of identity construction.

2. What was the purpose of the study? The main purpose of the study was to
examine a set of micro-processes that affect the exploration of possible
selves and the relevance of interpersonal relationships as a context for
their development into identities.

3. Describe a control theory approach to identity maintenance and

modification. This approach helps us understand a persons sense of
identity stability over time. Model emphasises self-definition within a
context of social expectations and feedback. Identity standard (selfmeanings tied to an identity) as compared with a self-perception (ones
interpretation of social feedback relevant to the self). Some comparison
processes may induce identity disruption. This is followed by selfverification. E.g. Ill do better, they are messed up, I wasnt at my best,
etc., in order to restore the predisrupted identity. Although initiated by
discrepant input, the amount of self-verification varies with the
importance of the identity and the certainty with which it is regarded.
Control theory asserts that important identities and identities self-defined
with high certainty will be maintained more than their counterparts.

4. What is your understanding of psychosocial moratorium? (Identity

exploration involves actively trying on different selves). Identity
formation involves exploration and commitment, the making of relatively
permanent, but changeable, choices about the contents of identities. This
exploration/commitment process provides a model for the emergence and
initial stabilization of novel (new) identities.

5. What are the limitations of both these approaches? Control theory is more
suited to describing stability rather than change and development. PM
does not account as well for the simultaneous stability and conditional
changeability of these identities OVER TIME.

6. At the bottom of page 493, Kerpelman and Pittman argue that the impact
of identity feedback depends on what the feedback says, the importance
of the identity, and the participants certainty about the extent of the
identitys importance. Why is this the case?

7. Why were partners included in the study, and why are partners, regardless
of their relationship type, expected to affect identity stability?

8. How do identities emerge and stabilize within the context of interpersonal

relationships? The paper suggests that importance and certainty, as well
as adolescent and partner behaviour indicate the salience of an emerging
identity. Findings suggest that processes resulting in identity stability first
require a period of instability. Therefore, adolescents cannot be truly
certain about possible selves.