Identity development in the context of social identity and identity theories.

Šiame straipsnyje keliamas tyrimo klausimas, koks yra esminis skirtumas tarp identiteto ir socialinio identiteto teorijų, leidžiantis pažvelgti į tapatybės konstravimą pro skirtingų požiūrių prizmes? Literatūros analizė teigia, jog socialinė tapatybė yra siejama su savęs kategorizavimu, kuris aktualizuojamas per suvokimo depersonalizavimą, savo rato elgsenos prototipo konceptualizavimą ir taikymą skirtingų socialinių sąveikų metu. Tuo tarpu identiteto teorija laikosi nuostatos, kad individo vaidmens tapatybių rinkinys atspindi socialines struktūras, kurias sukonstruoja visuomenė kaip vaidmenų grupių formuotoja. Atsižvelgiant į tai, asmuo ugdo savo tapatumą, o atliekamus vaidmenis struktūruoja hierarchiškai pagal išreikštą tapatybės būdingumą ir atsidavimą.The focal question raised in this article is to disclose the essential differences between identity and social identity theories that enables to introspect the construction of identity through different perspectives. Thus the research goal is to reveal similarities and differences of social identity theory and identity theory. The methods of scientific literature analysis, synthesis, clasification and generalization have been applied. The methodology is grounded on social constructivism theory that states identity to be a fluid construction of a cultural process in which the subject interacts with the society, thus making the connection interaction dialectic. The attitude that every individual experience distinct reality is preserved over the article. Moreover, multiple identity is considered as a process and its product in situational contexts. This attitude empowers to claim that every individual construct his/ her identity as an exclusive dynamic construct. Whereas social constructivism enables to assume identity construction and development as an outcome of social interactions in multiple contexts. The literature analysis has revealed essential differences and similarities between two paralel theories: social identity and identity theories. Firstly, identity theory conceptualizes the structure and functions of identity that are interrelated with behaviour and roles performed within society. Meanwhile, social identity theory emphasises functions and structures of identity in relation to membership in a certain group. It should be noticed that both theories claim structuring of behaviour into meaningful units excluding distinctive selfcategorisation. Secondly, identity theory expresses the connection between individual's roles within society and identity perspective. Furthermore, the focus is laido n individual behaviour that fluctuates in accordance with selected roles. The opposite position is represented by social identity theory that concentrates on intergroup relations and processes inside the social groups. Due to this difference social identity theory links individual‘s social behaviour to the features of scocial structures. In addition, social identity theory is characterised by categorisation that explains the ways of individual internalisation in the process of identity development. Thus social identity theory defines identity as dynamic construct that reacts to changes within temporary and permanent itergroup relations. Meanwhile, identity theory is considered to determine identity as relatively static reflection of performed roles that could be (re)constructed only on specific conditions regarding social interactions, i. e. in the cases of role conflict. Overall, it is essential to define the main concepts of self-categorisation and role identity in seeking to disclose the relation of identity development and social structures that that comprise inner and outer groups of influence. After having reveled the connections within the following group relations the connection of identity construction in the context of mentioned theories could be easily inducted