The connection between the decision to join a secular Jewish-oriented group and perceived Jewish identity: A comparative study between American and Israeli joiners

<p>The literature about self-identity views the self as socially constructed, constantly revised, and providing the individual with a narrative of continuity despite change (Shu-Fang Dien, 2000; McAdams, 1985). In this study, identity literature and the narrative approach were used theoretically and methodologically, to explore the connections between the decision to join a secular Jewish-oriented group (SJOG), and the joiner's perceived Jewish identity among joiners in Israel and in the U.S.</p> <p>It was hypothesized that joining serves to reinforce, distinguish, and renegotiate a Jewish secular identity. Additionally, differences in the group's social context were expected to manifest through identity-negotiations content.</p> <p>Results emphasized the importance of joining a group, and group identity, to the development of self-identity. Joiner's narrations revealed an attempt to bridge polarized selfidentities and thus create a continuous and balanced self-story. The social context subtlety influenced the decision to join a SJOG. Finally, in negotiating identities, individuals created outer social constructs to accommodate their identity needs.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2004

Author dc:creator

• Bayrach-Avraham, Nirit

Contributors dc:contributor

• Carol Freedman-Doan, PhD, Chair
• Jeffrey Danskey, PhD

• Group identity
• Jews Israel Identity
• Jews United States Identity
• Clinical Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/80

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1079