IPT proposes that the individual’s identity is a dynamic social product of the
interaction of the capacities for memory, consciousness and organised construal with the
physical and societal structures and influence processes which constitute the social context.
IPT proposes that identity resides in psychological processes but is manifested through
thought, action and affect. Identity can be described in terms of both its structure and in terms
of its processes. People are normally self-aware and actively monitor the status of their
identity. The levels of self-monitoring may differ across the lifespan and it is considered
possible that they may vary across different cultures.
The structure of identity can be described along two planes: the content dimension and
the value dimension. The content dimension consists of the characteristics which define
identity: the properties which, taken as a constellation, mark the individual as unique. It
encompasses both those characteristics previously considered the domain of social identity
(group memberships, roles, social category labels, etc.) and of personal identity (values,
attitudes, cognitive style, etc.). The distinction between social and personal identity is not
used in IPT because seen across the biography, social identity is seen to become personal
identity: the dichotomy is purely a temporal artefact.
The content dimension of identity is organised. The organisation can be characterised
in terms of (i) the degree of centrality, (ii) the hierarchical arrangements of elements and (iii)
the relative salience of components. The organisation is not, however, static and is responsive
to changes in inputs and demands from the social context besides purposive reconstruction
initiated by the individual.
Each element in the content dimension has a positive or negative value/affect
appended to it; taken together these values constitute the value/affective dimension of
identity. The value/affective dimension of identity is constantly subject to revision: the value
of each element is open to reappraisal as a consequence of changes in social value systems
and modifications in the individual's position in relation to such social value systems.
In IPT, the structure of identity is postulated to be regulated by the dynamic processes
of accommodation/assimilation and evaluation which are deemed to be universal
psychological processes. Assimilation and accommodation are two components of one