Analysing Identity

"One cannot be but impressed by the wide range of issues the ISA theory of Peter Weinreich very successfully encompasses. There are two principal explanations for the adaptability of the ISA framework. First of all the extended definition of personal identity that is at the core of ISA theory: "A person's identity is defined as the totality of one's self-construal, in which how one construes oneself in the present expresses the continuity between how one construes oneself as one was in the past and how one construes one-self as one aspires to be in the future." (p.26). Secondly the high variety of operationalisations that the Identity Exploration computer software proposed by the author makes possible. The operationalisations are mainly based on bipolar ratings of the self, significant others, membership groups and other groups on a set of scales which may bear on past, present as well as future aspects of the described targets. A multiplicity of patterns of possible relationships in these descriptions are singled out and are theoretically defined." - Willem Doise, Universite de Geneve, European Bulletin of Social Psychology, Vol. 16, No. 2

"This volume provides a coherent and interesting exposition of Identity Structure Analysis, a research procedure developed over the past several decades. To my knowledge, there is no existing publication that explores this procedure in anything like the depth that is presented here." - Peter B. Smith, University of Sussex

"This groundbreaking book presents a conceptually sophisticated and empirically grounded method to understand the complexities of cultural identity ... I highly recommend it for clinicians as well as researchers. You will never see identity the same again!" - Francis G. Lu, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco

One cannot but be impressed by the wide range of issues the ISA theory of Peter Weinreich very successfully encompasses. - Willem Doise, University of Geneva, in the European Bulletin of Social Psychology

This volume provides a coherent and interesting exposition of Identity Structure Analysis, a research procedure developed over the past several decades. To my knowledge, there is no existing publication that explores this procedure in anything like the depth that is presented here. - Peter B. Smith, University of Sussex

This grand project is both helpful and enlightening. Congratulations to all concerned on a mighty piece of work. - Rom Harre, Linacre College, University of Oxford, and University of Georgetown, Washington

I am very impressed with the ISA framework. I am confident that ISA provides an extraordinary and powerful resource for the field [of traumatology] that will force a paradigm shift in the way we understand, assess, and treat the traumatized. - Charles Figley, Florida State University, and Editor of 'Traumatology'

This groundbreaking book presents a conceptually sophisticated and empirically grounded method to understand the complexities of cultural identity ... I highly recommend it for clinicians as well as researchers. You will never see identity the same again! - Francis G. Lu, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco

It is impossible to adequately capture the richness of the thinking and the systematic linking of theoretical reflection and applied research which is on offer from this book. - John Doyle in 'The Irish Psychologist'

This groundbreaking book presents a conceptually sophisticated and empirically grounded method to understand the complexities of cultural identity ... As someone who has taught psychiatric residents and other mental health professionals in this area for many years, I highly recommend [this book] for clinicians as well as researchers. - Francis G. Lu, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco