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Who Am I?

Exploring your identity.
by Kristine Anthis, Ph.D.
Kristine Anthis, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Southern Connecticut State University. See full bio

Who Am I?

December 17, 2009

Our Future Self

The holiday season is here, which provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon this past year. The process of taking stock of where we are -- and where ultimately we would like to be in the future -- is also a key component of identity, because introspection is a necessary prerequisite for a mature identity.  Read More

November 4, 2009

A National Case of Identity Foreclosure

Today's national election results indicated that 52.8% of voters in Maine agreed that they "want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages". Read More

October 15, 2009

Anti-Aging

Identity aside for a moment. 'Anti-aging' is a term that shows up more and more every day. It's also a misnomer. Once we reach maturation, i.e., complete puberty, the aging process begins. Read More

September 30, 2009

Identity Statuses

When individuals make a premature commitment to an identity, yet fail to explore their identity thoroughly, as in the case of Rachel in our last post, they are in what psychologists call an Identity Foreclosure. On the other hand, individuals like Juan who engage in extensive exploration of their identity and make an informed commitment are thought to be in an Identity Achievement. Read More

September 8, 2009

Globalization and Identity

Rachel did what her parents wanted her to do. She became a physician. Rachel is proud of herself, but miserable. She doesn’t like practicing medicine. Rachel didn’t know what she wanted to do in college, but declared Art History as her major after she became enchanted by Picasso’s work. Soon after, Rachel’s parents encouraged her to switch her major to Pre-Med. Rachel did. Read More

August 27, 2009

Identity, not Identity Theft

When we hear the word ‘identity’, our reflex may be to grab our wallet. In the age of identity theft, we certainly need to protect our credit card information from thieves. Read More

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Personality Basics

Personality

Questions of personality have vexed mankind from the dawn of personhood: can people change? How do others perceive me? What is the difference between normal and pathological behavior? One's personality is so pervasive and all-important that it presents a clinical paradox of sorts: it is hard to assess our own personality, impossible to overlook that of others.

Go to the Personality Basics page for more on Personality including:
  • Can You Change Your Temperament?
  • The Big Picture
  • PT's Field Guide to Personality Types
Go to Personality Basics

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