Discuss the concept of multiple selves. What are multiple selves? Are their times when the multiple selves are likely to be in conflict with each other? What causes this? What are the consequences of having multiple selves that are inconsistent?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Definition and conceptualization of multiple selves: Because we have multiple categories, we have multiple selves that can be quite distinct (Markus & Nurius, 1986; Markus & Wurf, 1987; Thoits, 1983). We draw upon these identities as needed—the serious, ambitious, hardworking identity while we are at work; the carefree and fun loving identity while at a party; the loving, caring, and supportive identity while with our children. Even within the workplace we have multiple selves that correspond to our multiple roles at work (Ashforth & Johnson, 2001).
Textbook answer to: “Are their times when the multiple selves are likely to be in conflict with each other?” Navigating between these multiple identities can be tricky (Ashforth, 2001).
For example, when we are at a party or nightclub, we may activate a cognitive category—a sense of self—that tells us that we talk loud, laugh a lot, perhaps even act a little wild and irresponsible. In the office, however, we may have quite a different sense of who we are. We may frown at those who bend the rules, come in late, speak loudly, etc. Because our working memory does not allow us to hold both sets of cognitive categories in mind at once, we are often not aware of how different the two sets of identities can be. Middle managers, for example, are both leaders and followers: They enact leader roles when supervising those below them but play subordinate roles when interacting with their own superiors. When a subordinate identity is activated, someone’s self-conception about how employees should act may be quite different from that same person’s perception as to how employees should behave when their own leader identity is triggered. When acting as a manager and leader, a person may express scorn and firm disapproval of subordinate behaviors such as being slightly tardy to meetings, while as a subordinate, the same person may call up a cognitive category and sense of self that treats such behaviors more leniently.
Although some part of our self varies with each role, there are some parts of our self-identity that are active in almost every setting and are part of all or almost all of our multiple selves. Some people’s self-identities may, for example, include being punctual in almost every setting. Sometimes the roles that we perform cause us to act in ways inconsistent with how we behave in the majority of our other roles. This inconsistency may cause us to feel that the role we are playing is inconsistent with our true self. People in these situations may feel they are being forced to behave in an inauthentic way. For example, suppose someone is normally easygoing, friendly, and unassertive. When placed in a supervisor role where he or she has to frequently reprimand tardy or poor performing subordinates, the supervisor may feel that the leadership role is inconsistent with his or her true self.