Symposium: Accessing the

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Symposium Accessing the political in
socio-historical context

• Convenor
• Peter Weinreich
• Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University of
  Ulster
• Director, Identity Exploration Ltd,
  www.identityexploration.com
• Conference
• Tearing Down the Walls Rethinking the Political
  in Political Psychology
• Centre for Research in Political Psychology,
  Queen's University Belfast
• Thursday 15 April 2010

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Symposium Accessing the political in
socio-historical context

• Outline
• Socio-historical contexts vary hugely from
  country to country and from era to era, such that
  what constitutes the political is a matter of
  time and place.
• Political processes differ in myriad ways
  across nations and in time.
• In contexts of major migrations, cultural
  heritages constitute one of the dominant
  political themes that exercise both the migrant
  and the receiving communities.

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Symposium Accessing the political in
socio-historical context

• Outline
• Other major themes are the forms of the political
  infrastructure (western democratic, Chinese
  communist, military dictatorship, etc.) and the
  civic organisation of the mainstream community
  (nature of local services, judiciary, etc).
• Further, political and military engagements
  locally and worldwide activate citizens
  political sensibilities.
• In all of these aspects of the political in
  socio-historical contexts, the individuals sense
  of identity predominates as being the locus for
  peoples appraisal of the political arena.

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Symposium Accessing the political in
socio-historical context

• Outline
• Ultimately, political processes cannot be
  divorced from the identity processes of
  individuals, whether they be members of the
  (amorphous) mainstream, or various alternative
  cultural and subcultural groups.
• The challenge to conceptual and methodological
  issues is to take into account the immense
  variety of individual identity processes in
  socio-historical context, while anchoring the
  individual within the nexus of other people and
  institutions in the community.

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Symposium Accessing the political in
socio-historical context

• Outline
• The symposium introduces Identity Structure
  Analysis (ISA) as an interdisciplinary conceptual
  framework to investigate such complex processes
  of identity, using ethnographic work in order to
  generate customised identity instruments.
• The papers in the symposium illustrate the use of
  ISA and the computer software Ipseus in a variety
  of socio-historical contexts.

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Symposium Accessing the political in
socio-historical context

• Peter Weinreich, University of Ulster, UK
• Introducing the use of ISA/ipseus to Political
  Psychology
• Fiona Bloomer, Trademark, UK
• Illustrating the use of ISA for exploring the
  impact of anti-racist and anti-sectarian work in
  Northern Ireland
• Stephen Ewart, Identity Exploration Ltd, UK
• Primordialist and situationalist perspectives on
  nationality in Beijing students
• Sunyoung Lee, Queens University Belfast, UK
• ISA within a multi-method approach Chinese
  childrens identities in Northern Ireland

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Symposium Accessing the political in
socio-historical context

• Presentation 1
• Introducing the use of ISA/ipseus to Political
  Psychology
• Peter Weinreich, University of Ulster, UK

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What is Identity Structure Analysis (ISA)?

• ISAs substantive arena of discourse Self and
  Identity
• It is an open-ended conceptual framework of
• (a) psychological concepts and
• (b) process postulates
• that represents an integration of key theoretical
  formulations from the academic disciplines of
  Psychology, Sociology and Social Anthropology.

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Key theoretical formulations

• Psychodynamic approach identity over the
  lifespan through identifications (Erikson,
  Marcia, Laing, Berne)
• Symbolic interactionism identity through
  communication (Mead, Cooley, Sullivan, Stryker,
  Weigert, Goffman, Shotter Gergen)
• Self-concept, social identity and self-esteem
  identity through society (Rosenberg,
  Coopersmith, Harter, Tajfel, Turner, Hogg
  Abrams)
• Construal and appraisal identity by way of
  idiosyncratic personal constructions (G.A.Kelly,
  Arnold, Lazarus, Schweder)
• Cognitive-affective consistency theory identity
  subject to emotional and cognitive pressures
  (Heider, Osgood Tannenbaum, Rosenberg
  Abelson, Festinger, Wickland Brehm, Aronson)
• Social anthropology and indigenous psychologies
  identity located in cultural context (Schweder,
  Pasternack, Ember Ember, Valsiner)
• The fundamental issue of agency Rom Harré
  the agentic self

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Key theoretical formulations

• References
• The theoretical perspectives that underpin ISA,
  together with the definitions of psychological
  concepts and statements of process postulates are
  to be found in
• Weinreich, P. (2003) Identity structure
  Analysis. In
• Weinreich, P., Saunderson, W. (Eds.) Analysing
  Identity Cross Cultural, Societal and Clinical
  Contexts. London Routledge Psychology Press.
  Chapter 1.
• The operationalisation of ISA for empirical
  projects is by way of
• Weinreich, P., Ewart, S. (2008) Ipseus computer
  software. Belfast Identity Exploration Ltd.
  www.identityexploration.com

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The processes of identification

• People identify with elements of significant
  others who have influence over their personal
  well-being, either for good or ill.
• They form aspirational identifications with
  others when they wish to
• emulate their prized features
• or
• dissociate from their unpalatable aspects.

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Aspirational identification in two aspects

• They form idealistic-identifications with others
  when they wish to emulate their prized features.
• They form contra-identifications with others when
  they wish to dissociate from their unpalatable
  aspects.

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The processes of identification

• a different mode in the here and now
• People empathetically identify with others when
  they recognise in the others features of
  themselves, whether good or bad.
• a persons empathetic identification with
  another modulates according to situations,
  contexts and mood states

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Conflicted identifications

• When self empathetically identifies with another
  person while simultaneously contra-identifying
  with that person, selfs identification with the
  other is conflicted.
• I.e., Self is as the other in several respects,
  while wishing to dissociate from some of the
  characteristics of the other - to be as the
  other, while not wishing to be
• Since peoples empathetic identification with
  others modulate according to situations, contexts
  and mood states, so will their conflicted
  identifications alter accordingly

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Identity diffusion

• Peoples conflicted identifications with others
  may be dispersed across several persons.
• A state of high identity diffusion is manifest
  when selfs conflicted identifications with
  others are both substantial and dispersed across
  many others.
• extent of identity diffusion may also modulate
  according to situations, contexts and mood
  states.

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How is the ISA conceptual framework
operationalised?

• Psychological definitions
• Algorithms
• Computer software (Ipseus)
• Identity instrument editor
• Instrument display and data
  capture
• Data analysis and output

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Identity Structure Analysis is operationalised
through

• the ipseus computer software
• in these modes
• Idiographic for individual analyses
• Phase for longitudinal analyses
• Nomothetic for group analyses
• Nomothetic-phase for group longitudinal analyses

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Customised identity instrument themes and
constructs

• Preliminary investigative and ethnographic work
  establishes salient themes to be represented in
  the identity instrument as
• Bipolar constructs, consisting of contrasting
  discourses about, or representations of,
  experiences and expectations, beliefs and values,
  attributes, etc.
• Their role as core or conflicted dimensions of
  identity for each person is ascertained using the
  ipseus software

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Customised identity instrument domains and
entities

• Continuing investigative and ethnographic work
  establishes the domains of most relevance to the
  delineated themes to be the represented in the
  identity instrument as
• Entities self in various contexts other
  agents, such as people, groups, institutions,
  emblems, icons, images, events, abstractions,
  material objects, etc
• Their significance in terms of themes and
  appraisal in terms of the bipolar constructs is
  assessed for each person using the ipseus
  software

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The operationalisation of Identity Structure
Analysis

• References
• The isomorphic translations of ISA psychological
  concepts into algorithms and their practical
  operationalisation
• Weinreich, P. (2003) Identity exploration Theory
  into practice. In
• Weinreich, P., Saunderson, W. (Eds.)
  Analysing Identity Clinical, Societal and
  Cross-Cultural Contexts London Routledge
  Psychology Press. Chapter 2.
• Dedicated computer software for facilitating ISA
• Weinreich, P., Ewart, S. (2008) Ipseus.
  ww.identityexploration.com

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Study of Islamist propensities in disaffected
young Muslims in Manchester

• Referral of disaffected young Muslims in
  Manchester to a dedicated Muslim charitable
  agency specialising in
• Mentoring
• Concentration on a segment of the population is a
  controversial activity
• Comparative study is essential
• Appraisals of self, other people and agents in
  the community should be from the participants
  perspectives, not ones imposed by the
  investigators

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Four themes to be investigated

• Theme 1 Civics
• Subthemes
• 1.1 Sharia law Radical tendency favour Sharia
  over British law
• 1.2 Human rights Radical tendency favour
  Islamic code over universal (western) Human
  Rights
• 1.3 Free-speech Radical tendency less than
  wholesale endorsement
• 1.4 Fighting and dying for a cause Radical
  tendency preference for this rather than
  national army

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Four themes to be investigated

• Theme 2 British Muslims in the context of
  British society
• Subthemes
• 2.1 Racism Radical tendency habitual
  experience of racism
• 2.2 Societal consequence of identity in Britain
  Radical tendency victimisation because of ones
  identity
• 2.3 Morality of the British Radical tendency
  British immoral
• 2.4 Impact of British foreign policy on Muslims
  in Britain Radical tendency British foreign
  policy desecrates Muslims
• 2.5 Trustworthiness Radical tendency distrust
  of Government, police and media

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Four themes to be investigated

• Theme 3 Sensibility of Islamic culture
• Subthemes
• 3.1 Muslim belongingness as local or global
  Radical tendency global
• 3.2 Continuity of Islamic culture Radical
  tendency - contradicts key aspects of Islam
• 3.3 Respect for Islam Radical tendency makes
  Islam respected
• 3.4 Respect of others by Muslims Radical
  tendency disrespect of British ethnicities and
  institutions
• 3.5 Alternative expressions of Islamic faith
  Radical tendency adoption of alternative
  militant expressions

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Four themes to be investigated

• Theme 4 The individual living in the social
  world civil society (4 bipolar constructs)
• Subthemes
• 4.1 Meaningfulness of existence Potential for
  radicalisation self having no centre
• 4.2 Being noticed or not Potential for
  radicalisation self not being noticed
• 4.3 Ability to influence others Potential for
  radicalisation self not having any influence
• 4.4 Susceptibility to radical influence radical
  tendency susceptible

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Anti-infidel radical-Islamist activist
Criteria in terms of

• A) Identification
• Strong identification (idealistic empathetic)
  with Islamic agents both al Qaeda and martyr
• together with
• Strong contra-identification with infidel agents
  Government and British Christians and Jews

• B) dimensions of identity
• At least 9 of 10 Islamist values and beliefs
  endorsed, of which at least 8 are core dimensions
  of identity

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Myopic radical-Islamist activist criteria in
terms of

• A) identification
• Strong identification (idealistic empathetic)
  with Islamic agents both al Qaeda and martyr
• together with
• Strong contra-identification with only Government
  ignoring the wider community of British
  Christians and Jews

• B) dimensions of identity
• At least 9 of 10 Islamist values and beliefs
  endorsed, of which at least 8 are core dimensions
  of identity

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Anti-infidel strong, moderate, or weak
radical-Islamist sympathiser Criteria in terms
of

• A) Identification
• Strong identification (idealistic empathetic)
  with one or other Islamic agent either al Qaeda
  or martyr
• together with
• Strong contra-identification with infidel agents
  Government and British Christians and Jews

• B) dimensions of identity
• Strong sympathiser - at least 9 of 10 Islamist
  values and beliefs endorsed, of which at least 8
  are core dimensions of identity
• Moderate sympathiser at least 8 Islamist
  values and beliefs endorsed, of which at least 2
  are core dimensions of identity
• Weak sympathiser - at least 7 Islamist values
  and beliefs endorsed, of which at least 1 is a
  core dimension of identity

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Myopic strong, moderate, or weak
radical-Islamist sympathiser Criteria in terms
of

• A) Identification
• Strong identification (idealistic empathetic)
  with Islamic agents both al Qaeda and martyr
• together with
• Strong contra-identification with only Government
  ignoring the wider community of British
  Christians and Jews

• B) dimensions of identity
• Strong sympathiser - at least 9 of 10 Islamist
  values and beliefs endorsed, of which at least 8
  are core dimensions of identity
• Moderate sympathiser at least 8 Islamist
  values and beliefs endorsed, of which at least 2
  are core dimensions of identity
• Weak sympathiser - at least 7 Islamist values
  and beliefs endorsed, of which at least 1 is a
  core dimension of identity

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Symbolic adherent Islamist sympathiser
Criteria in terms of

• A) Identification
• Strong identification (idealistic empathetic)
  with one or other Islamic agent either al Qaeda
  or martyr
• but
• No strong contra-identification with Government
  and the wider community of British Christians and
  Jews

• B) dimensions of identity
• General absence of endorsement of Islamist
  values and beliefs

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Civil anti-infidel Muslim Criteria in terms of

• A) Identification
• No strong identification (idealistic
  empathetic) with Islamic agents either al Qaeda
  or martyr
• but
• Strong contra-identification with infidel agents
  Government and British Christians and Jews

• B) dimensions of identity
• At least 6 of the 10 Islamist construct texts
  to be endorsed but none as core dimensions
• At least 3 of the 4 civil construct texts to be
  endorsed as core dimensions

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Strongly anti radical-Islamist Criteria in
terms of

• A) Identification
• Strong contra-identification with both Islamic
  agents al Qaeda and martyr
• and
• Weak empathetic identification with both Islamic
  agents al Qaeda and martyr

• B) Dimensions of identity
• At least 3 of the 4 British construct texts to
  be endorsed, at least 2 of which to be core
  dimensions

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Moderately and partially anti radical-Islamist
Criteria in terms of

• A) Identification
• Strong contra-identification with one or other
  Islamic agent either al Qaeda or martyr
• and
• Weak empathetic identification with one or other
  Islamic agent either al Qaeda or martyr

• B) Dimensions of identity
• Moderately anti - At least 2 of the 4 British
  construct texts to be endorsed, at least 1 of
  which to be a core dimension
• Partially anti - At least 2 of the 4 British
  construct texts to be endorsed, but none as core

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Within-community encapsulation Criteria in
terms of

• Ego-involvement
• Within own community High with oneself when
  being with ones own community and high with
  members of ones own community, such as parents,
  closest friend and influential community leader
• Beyond own community Low with oneself when with
  the broader society and low with the broader
  society of Government, local decision makers,
  British Christians and British Jews

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Pilot findings to date

• Anti-infidel radical-Islamist activist
  0
• Myopic radical-Islamist activist 0
• Strong anti-infidel radical-Islamist
  sympathiser 0
• Moderate anti-infidel radical-Islamist
  sympathiser 0
• Weak anti-infidel radical-Islamist
  sympathiser 1

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Pilot findings to date

• Strong myopic radical-Islamist sympathiser 1
• Moderate myopic radical-Islamist sympathiser 1
• Weak myopic radical-Islamist sympathiser 0
• Symbolic adherent Islamist sympathiser 2

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Pilot findings to date

• Civil anti-infidel Muslim 1
• Strongly anti radical-Islamist 3
• Moderately anti radical-Islamist 1
• Partially anti radical-Islamist 2
• Within-community encapsulation 1

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Resources

• See www.identityexploration.com