Representation

Chapter 6 presents the motif of representation: the idea that the eucharistic bread and wine are symbols (or signs, figures, antitypes, etc.) of the body and blood of Christ. Using a definition of symbol as a blend involving a “material anchor” (Edwin Hutchins), the author argues that “The bread is the symbol of the body of Christ” is not, as some Swiss Reformers believed, a literal equivalent for the figurative “The bread is the body of Christ.” Rather, it is a prompt for a more complex (“Y-squared”) blending network. In this blend a vital relation of Representation is created between bread and the body of Christ. The Representation relation can coexist with Identity, Change, and other vital relations. Thus, the identity and representation motifs are not mutually exclusive but complementary.

What is NORML? Sedimented Meanings in Ambiguous Organizational Identities

Organizational identity scholarship has largely focused on the mutability of meanings ascribed to ambiguous identity labels. In contrast, we analyze a case study of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) to explore how leaders maintained a meaning ascribed to an ambiguous identity label amid successive identity threats. We found that heightened dissensus surrounding meanings attributed to the organization’s “reform group” label at three key points spurred theoretically similar manifestations of two processes. The first, meaning sedimentation, involved leaders invoking history to advocate for the importance of their preferred meaning while mulling the inclusion of others. The second, reconstructing the past, occurred as leaders and members alike offered narratives that obscured the history of disavowed meanings while sharing new memories of those they prioritized. Our work complements research on identity change by drawing attention to the processes by which meaning(s) underlying ambiguous identity labels might survive.

Refining the content and design of an alcohol reduction app, Drink Less, to improve its usability and effectiveness: a mixed methods approach

Background: Digital interventions have the potential to reduce alcohol consumption, although evidence on the effectiveness of apps is lacking. Drink Less is a popular, evidence-informed app with good usability, putting it in a strong position to be improved upon prior to conducting a confirmatory evaluation. This paper describes the process of refining Drink Less to improve its usability and likely effectiveness. Methods: The refinement consisted of three phases and involved qualitative and quantitative (mixed) methods: i) identifying changes to app content, based on findings from an initial evaluation of Drink Less, an updated review of digital alcohol interventions and a content analysis of user feedback; ii) designing new app modules with public input and a consultation with app developers and researchers; and iii) improving the app’s usability through user testing. Results: As a result of the updated review of digital alcohol interventions and user feedback analysis in Phase 1, three new modules: ‘Behaviour Substitution’, ‘Information about Antecedents’ and ‘Insights’, were added to the app. One existing module – ‘Identity Change’ – was removed based on the initial evaluation of Drink Less. Phases 2 and 3 resulted in changes to existing features, such as improving the navigational structure and onboarding process, and clarifying how to edit drinks and goals. Conclusions: A mixed methods approach was used to refine the content and design of Drink Less, providing insights into how to improve its usability and likely effectiveness. Drink Less is now ready for a confirmatory evaluation.

The role of identity uncertainty in predicting relational turbulence and perceived partner communication for women coping with infertility

Infertility can change the way people see themselves and their relational roles. This study examined how changes to identity following reproductive hardship are associated with identity uncertainty and relationship outcomes. Drawing on relational turbulence theory, we position identity uncertainty as an antecedent condition for relational uncertainty and interdependence processes in the context of infertility and examine these relationship mechanisms as predictors of relational turbulence and perceptions of partner communication during this relationship transition. We surveyed 152 women who have been unsuccessful at conceiving for at least 12 months about their identity and perceptions of their relationship. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Consistent with hypotheses, identity change was positively associated with identity uncertainty, which, in turn, predicted increased relational uncertainty. Relational turbulence was positively predicted by relational uncertainty, but not partner interference or facilitation. Perceptions of a partner’s communication were predicted by relational turbulence and partner facilitation. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

“I changed, I had to realize that I was wrong”: Identity gap management amidst evolving illness uncertainty

Doubt that a family member’s health issues are real, severe, or even possible entwines some of the most challenging aspects of medical, personal, and social uncertainty. Although several studies have examined doubt, this investigation focuses on how doubt evolves and foregrounds the identity implications of uncertainty. Guided by Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), the purpose of this study was to explore the identity gaps people experience as they navigate evolving doubt about a family member’s health and how they manage those identity gaps. We interviewed 33 individuals in the U.S. about a family member’s health issues that they doubted but began to believe. Our analysis uncovered three identity gaps among personal, relational, and enacted layers of identity: personal-enacted, relational-enacted, and personal-relational-enacted identity gaps. Participants managed identity gaps in two primary ways: (a) closing gaps by altering personal, relational, or enacted layers of their own identity; and (b) maintaining identity gaps by putting the locus of responsibility for identity change within their family member’s relational identities. This study offers theoretical implications for CTI as well as practical implications for individuals navigating doubt and evolving illness uncertainty in their family relationships.

Kintsugi – identity change and reconstruction following an episode of psychosis: a systematic review and thematic synthesis

Systematic review and thematic synthesis of identity change and reconstruction amongst people with psychosis