Identity formation in time of rapidly changing and multiple orientations

Abstract

Identity no longer is founded and stabilized by socio-structural arrangements – as were role identity and ego identity. Post-modern identity theories emphasize life-long flexibility and see the person as a product of the multiplicity of all the decisions made. This is a description from a third person perspective. In contrast, on the basis of empirical data it is shown that individuals themselves define the identity relevance of their personal characteristics, previous decisions and changes in their orientations. They safeguard their identity by committing themselves to values they care about. Many care about their moral beliefs. The values that correspond to the modern autonomous universalistic morality allow to stabilize a principled identity over time.