Date of Graduation
8-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Psychology (MA)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Psychological Science
Advisor/Mentor
Beike, Denise R.
Committee Member
Eidelman, Scott H.
Second Committee Member
Makhanova, Anastasia
Keywords
Close relationships; Self-disclosure; Perceived responsiveness; Sense of identity
Abstract
Previous research has indicated that identity is social in nature and that close relationships strengthen sense of identity, but details of this relationship are not well understood. Self-disclosure is a vital part of close relationships; thus, the present research sought to understand how talking about oneself is at play in the relation between relationship closeness and identity. In this study, 314 emerging adults (157 dyads; Mage = 19.2) engaged in an in-person interaction with either a close other or a stranger and, within this interaction, were assigned to engage in self-disclosure or a control task. Even though the closer participants were to their interaction partner, the stronger their sense of identity tended to be, the manipulations of closeness and self-disclosure did not strengthen sense of identity. But, the more responsive interaction partners were, the stronger sense of identity tended to be. This study adds to the body of work establishing that relationship closeness is related to sense of identity, provides support for the possibility of developmental change in this relation as people age, and suggests that the way people respond in interactions could be influential to sense of identity.
Citation
Collins, J. (2024). How Others Affect Identity: The Roles of Mere Presence, Self-Disclosure Extent, and Partner Responsiveness. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5397
