Introduction
There is a large variety of important sociological concepts and terms that influence the contemporary approach to the field. One of the relatively recent theories that help experts understand the individual and their role in society is narrative identity. In general, this concept refers to a self-constructed perception of identity that connects the past, present, and future events in personal history (Hamilton, 2017). In other words, narrative identity can be seen as a life story that each person makes up for themselves. One of the earliest references to the theory belongs to Paul Ricoeur in his 1988 scientific work ‘Time and Narrative’ (Hamilton, 2017). He assumed that the reconstruction of personal history created a sense of belonging and psychological stability while mitigating existential thoughts (Hamilton, 2017). His theory was later adopted by a large number of sociologists and psychologists, who used this concept for empirical practice. Ultimately, the current paper examines narrative identity and explains why this term is relevant to sociology.
Importance of Narrative Identity
Narrative identity is a highly significant topic not only in sociology but also in psychology, criminology, and clinical healthcare. This concept is closely related to general sociological terms such as labeling theory, deviant behavior, and social construction (Hamilton, 2017). Many experts frequently describe narrative identity as a positive influence on the individual’s psychological well-being (Adler et al., 2015). Assumingly, the reconstructed history allows people to create a sense of purpose and find new goals in life (Adler et al., 2015). Nevertheless, the analysis of narrative identity might allow one to evaluate the actions of the individual and understand their behavior (Hamilton, 2017). For instance, Hamilton (2017) suggests that a thorough examination of criminals’ personal histories might reveal insights into their maladaptive behavior. Therefore, the author proposes that narrative identity is an efficient instrument of evaluation and acknowledgment that can be used in sociology and criminology.
In this sense, narrative identity is closely associated with labeling theory and might explain various instances of deviant behavior. Furthermore, the experts can use these concepts to create rehabilitation programs and adjust the approach to understanding identity and its impact on behavior (Hamilton, 2017). For instance, labeling theory suggests that negative social and psychological labels (e.g., sexual offender, schizophrenic, hikikomori) might stimulate maladaptive actions (DeVylder et al., 2020). In other words, if society labels an individual with a certain stigma, the individual starts perceiving themselves from this perspective as well. Evidently, this opinion significantly shifts their narrative identity, leading to destructive thoughts and existential problems (DeVylder et al., 2020). Consequently, these people are more likely to continue the deviant behavior or commit crimes again (Hamilton, 2017). Hence, it is critical to understand the impact of narrative identity on social behavior and act accordingly. From these considerations, narrative identity is a highly relevant topic to sociology as it influences a large number of associated theories and is vital to understanding deviant behavior.
Conclusion
The current paper has examined the concept of narrative identity and proved its relevance to the field of sociology. Ultimately, narrative identity and associated terms provide essential insights into how an individual perceives themselves both on personal and societal levels. This understanding allows sociologists and psychologists to create comprehensive rehabilitation and prevention programs and make a positive change in society. From these considerations, narrative identity is a relevant topic in the field of sociology.
References
Adler, J. M., Turner, A. F., Brookshier, K. M., Monahan, C., Walder-Biesanz, I., Harmeling, L. H.,… & Oltmanns, T. F. (2015). Variation in narrative identity is associated with trajectories of mental health over several years. Journal of personality and social psychology, 108(3), 476-496.
DeVylder, J. E., Narita, Z., Horiguchi, S., Kodaka, M., Schiffman, J., Yang, L. H., & Koyanagi, A. (2020). Stigma associated with the labeling of schizophrenia, depression, and hikikomori in Japan. Stigma and Health, 5(4), 472-476.
Hamilton, E. (2017). Identity concerns among sexual offenders: The narrative call. Practice Innovations, 2(1), 13-20.