A Complex Dynamic Systems Perspective on Identity and Its Development - The Dynamic Systems Model of Role Identity

Aug 28, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve

Current prominent models of identity struggle to integrate divergent dimensions such as personal versus social-collective, conscious versus unconscious, and epigenetic versus discursive-relational accounts. This paper responds to the special issue aims by presenting the Dynamic Systems Model of Role Identity (DSMRI), grounding role-identity as a complex dynamic system. Using contextual social role as the unit of analysis, DSMRI describes interdependent components and explains identity development as emergent, continuous, non-linear, and contextually influenced, linking development to psychological functioning across levels, stages, and contexts via quantitative and qualitative methods.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages47

Reading Time1 h 58 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Challenges in Conceptualizing Identity and Its Development

Bridging Divergent Assumptions in Identity Theories

The Rationale for a Complex Dynamic Systems Model

The Dynamic Systems Model of Role Identity (DSMRI)

Role-Identity as a Complex Dynamic System

Unit of Analysis and Multi-level Hierarchy

Applications in Research and Intervention

Conclusion: Directions for Further Development and Research

Identity as a Complex Dynamic System Running head: Complex Dynamic Systems A Complex Dynamic Systems Perspective on Identity and Its Development: The Dynamic Systems Model of Role Identity Avi Kaplan Psychological Studies in Education College of Education Temple University +267-254-7129 [akaplan@temple.edu](akaplan@temple.edu) Joanna K. Garner Center for Educational Partnerships Old Dominion University +757-683-5448 [j](jkgarner@odu.edu)[kgarner@odu.edu](jkgarner@odu.edu) Manuscript submitted for a Special Issue of Developmental Psychology: Identity Development Process and Content: Toward an Integrated and Contextualized Science of Identity Accepted March 10, 2017 © 2017, American Psychological Association. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the final, authoritative version of the article. Please do not copy or cite without authors permission. The final article will be available, upon publication, via its DOI: 10.1037/dev0000339 Please address all correspondence regarding this manuscript to Avi Kaplan at: [akaplan@temple.edu](akaplan@temple.edu) Identity as a Complex Dynamic System A COMPLEX DYNAMIC SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE ON IDENTITY AND ITS DEVELOPMENT: THE DYNAMIC SYSTEMS MODEL OF ROLE IDENTITY Abstract Current prominent models of identity face challenges in bridging across divergent perspectivesand dimensions such as personal or social-collective, conscious or unconscious, and epigenetic or discursive-relational, and affording pursuit of research questions in ways that allow integrative answers. We address the special issue's goals by describing a model that provides a coherent theoretical perspective on the integrative nature of identity and its developmental mechanisms. Adopting the contextual social role as a primary unit-of-analysis, the Dynamic Systems Model of Role Identity (DSMRI) conceptualizes role-identity as a Complex Dynamic System (CDS) anchored in action that comprises the actor's ontological and epistemological beliefs, purpose and goals, self-perceptions and self-definitions, and perceived action possibilities in the role. These system components are conceptualized as interdependent, and identity development is viewed as emergent, continuous, non-linear, contextualized, and given to influences from within and without the system. The role-identity itself constitutes an element within a multi-level hierarchy, which atthe unit-of-analysis of the individual reflects a CDS that comprises the person's multiple roleidentities. Identity development involves the formation and restructuring of relations within and among role identities through intra-and inter-personal processes, which are mediated by sociocognitive and cultural means, and framed by the context as well as by individual dispositions. The DSMRI provides a framework to conceptualize and investigate the nature of the identity system, its development, and the relationship between identity development and psychological functioning at different units-of-analysis, among people with different characteristics, across different developmental stages and contexts, and using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Keywords: Identity, Complex Dynamic Systems, Role, Motivation Identity as a Complex Dynamic System A COMPLEX DYNAMIC SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE ON IDENTITY AND ITS DEVELOPMENT Divergent assumptions among varied theoretical perspectives on identity have framed decades-old debates about identity’s nature: stable or malleable, personal or social-collective, individual or cultural, conscious or unconscious ; its development epigenetic or discursiverelational (Côté & Levine, 2002; Gergen, 1991 ; Holland & Lachicotte, 2007). Yet, increasingly, researchers have been drawing links across perspectives to better capture the nature of identityrelated phenomena (Schwartz, Luyckx, & Vignoles, 2011) . Indeed, rather than “whether-or,”identity phenomena manifest both sides of apparent dicho

FAQs

这篇文章提出的核心模型是什么？

文章提出 Dynamic Systems Model of Role Identity（DSMRI）。它将角色认同视为一个以行动为锚点的复杂动态系统，用于整合身份及其发展机制。

DSMRI 用什么作为主要分析单位？

DSMRI 以“情境化的社会角色”为主要分析单位（unit-of-analysis），从而将角色认同的系统成分与发展过程联系起来。

文章如何理解身份发展（identity development）的特征？

身份发展被视为涌现的、连续的、非线性的，并受到系统内部与外部的影响，同时在情境与个体差异的共同框架下展开。

Aug 28, 2026

Uploaded by Maeve

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