Retrospective Study of the Phenomenon of Personal Identity in Foreign Psychological Science

Introduction. The study of personal identity problems occupies an important place in classical and modern philosophical and psychological research, which considers different aspects of this multifaceted phenomenon. The study of the phenomenon of identity has been based on various theoretical constructs, which has allowed us to identify both common and unique connections of this construct with other psychological phenomena.  The introduction reviews the main psychological approaches to the problem of identity.

Objective. Consideration of historically developed approaches to the phenomenon of personal identity in foreign psychological science and practice.

Psychoanalytic approach to the problem of identity. This approach realizes the study of the phenomenon of identity from the point of view of the structural dynamics of personality. The approach is presented by Z. Freud, who laid the foundations of scientific understanding of identity, and found its continuation in the works of A. Freud, C. G. Jung and E. Erikson, A. Adler and J. Marcia.

Humanistic approach to the problem of identity.  This approach to understanding identity operates with such constructs as "Self-concept", "Self-image" and "Self", considered as elements of subjective experience. The approach is based on the theories of C. Rogers, R. Burns and A. Maslow, and E. Fromm. In the course of analyzing the scientific works available in the discourse of this approach, similarities between the concepts of identity and "self-concept" were found.

Cognitive-oriented approach to the problem of identity. Within the framework of this approach, identity is considered as a socio-psychological construct formed on the basis of values, norms and rules of behavior accepted in a social group. This approach is the most significant in the context of understanding identity and is based on the works of G. Tajfel, J. Turner, and G. Breakwell.

Interactionist approach to the problem of identity. The interactionist paradigm of identity is based on the works of J. G. Mead, Ch. Cooley, Sh. Struker, and I. Hoffman. According to this approach, identity is an integrative experience of an individual's self and environment and is based on self-perception and awareness of behavioral patterns. I. Hoffman formulated the concept of "frontal" and "back" activities, which characterize the behavior of a person in public and in a familiar environment.

The behaviorist approach to the problem of identity. This approach considers identity within the framework of group dynamics, contrasting social identity with personal identity and not considering the influence of individual biography on the formation of social identity.

Discussion. Despite the long period of studying the phenomenon of identity in modern psychological science, there is still no single unambiguous approach to this phenomenon.

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