The role of emotion and narrative in the reciprocal construction of identity

ISSN： 1469-8374

Source： Human Resource Development International, Vol.9, Iss.1, 2006-03, pp. : 69-83

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Abstract

Each individual has a life story, and it is this story that gives us an identity, allowing us to exist and function among one another. It is natural for us to communicate through narratives. The process of creating a sense of identity through storytelling allows us to participate in interpersonal relationships, while constructing and sustaining a satisfying self-concept. Through a unique interplay of managing emotional experiences and constructing a way of communicating those experiences to others, and ourselves, we begin to construct who we think we are. This research study uses both oral and written narratives, full of emotion, as a means to uncover identity development. By researching both dimensions of narrative, this study reveals not only the tensions that exist between expressing our emotions and maintaining an acceptable image within organizations, but also shows the reality between how we see ourselves and how we want others to see us.