Many studies have shown that the ability to cue individuals through broad and narrow identities is important to social interaction. Broad identities are those shared by individuals and can contribute to the emergence of a particular group's norms and behaviors. While this may be beneficial in some contexts, such as in a work environment, it can also lead to misunderstandings and prejudice. As such, researchers have studied the influence of identity on social interaction.
Social identities are particularly important for understanding social interaction. In addition to race, gender, and social class, an individual's identity may also be linked to their psychological well-being. Burke's study demonstrated that a person's psychological state can predict a person's behavior. In particular, the theory explains the importance of group affiliations in shaping social interactions. This makes it important to understand how group-based affiliations shape the way individuals behave.
Occupational settings are also rich in identity construction. For example, Tracy uses the example of correctional officers who attempt to shake the stigma of being glorified maids. This contrast highlights the malleability of identity. Although the two types of identities are often conflated, their content is unique and distinct. The differences in identity content are not mutually exclusive and can make it more challenging to establish an identity, or to create a social group in a new social setting.
The role of identities in social interaction is an essential element of the theory of multiple selves. It is important to consider this aspect when studying the way that identities affect behavior. Essentially, the more ambiguous the identity, the greater the likelihood that it will be invoked in social interactions. The difference between a person's identity and their actions will depend on how strong or weak the self-stereotyping is in their social context.
There are three core postulates in the model of identity. The first one describes the role of identity in social interaction. It says that individuals have different levels of identity. They may be aware of the various types of people in their social circle. However, they are not always aware of the extent to which they can be diffused. Instead, they may be conscious of their situation. In other words, the two versions of an identity are similar.
While the concept of identity-based motivation is fairly new, it has gained significant relevance. The idea that people use their identities to prepare for action dates back to William James (1890). Moreover, the theory also has applications to social situations, such as church attendance. Further, the model of identity-based motivation implies that the meaning of an identity is influenced by contextual factors. In other words, it is important to consider whether the differences between members of the same group are similar or not.