Becoming singular: Musical identity construction and maintenance through the lens of identity process theory
Article
Article Title | Becoming singular: Musical identity construction and maintenance through the lens of identity process theory |
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ERA Journal ID | 6617 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Forbes, MelissaMelissa, Goopy, Jason and Krause, Amanda E |
Journal Title | Psychology of Music |
Number of Pages | 16 |
Year | 2024 |
Publisher | SAGE Publications Ltd |
Place of Publication | United Kingdom |
ISSN | 0305-7356 |
1741-3087 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356241267863 |
Web Address (URL) | https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03057356241267863 |
Abstract | This study uses identity process theory to understand the social–psychological processes that motivate individuals to construct an identity in which music, singing, and singing teaching feature prominently. We conducted reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 10 Australian singing teachers (with an average age 60) to understand how they enacted identity principles that motivate identity construction and maintenance. Findings were captured in two themes: (1) ‘It has just been music’: Living a musical life is my destiny; (2) ‘I know my value’: Achieving goals in music and teaching is motivating. Participants’ consistent musical engagement across the lifespan satisfied the identity principles of continuity and positive distinctiveness. The identity principles of self-efficacy and self-esteem were satisfied through the social connections created with peers and through teaching singing; participants derived self-worth from celebrating and contributing to the success of others. Teaching singing was a way to become ‘singular’, that is, distinctive, and distinctively valued by the self and others. This article provides an example of how identity process theory can be applied in musical identities research to uncover new insights into the psychological processes of identity construction, with implications for understanding identity resilience and musical engagement across the lifespan. |
Keywords | identities in music; self-esteem; self-efficacy; motivation; music education; singing teachers |
Article Publishing Charge (APC) Funding | Other |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 360301. Music cognition |
360303. Music education | |
5205. Social and personality psychology | |
Byline Affiliations | School of Creative Arts |
Centre for Heritage and Culture | |
Edith Cowan University | |
James Cook University |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z9760/becoming-singular-musical-identity-construction-and-maintenance-through-the-lens-of-identity-process-theory
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forbes-et-al-2024-becoming-singular-musical-identity-construction-and-maintenance-through-the-lens-of-identity-process.pdf | ||
License: CC BY-NC 4.0 | ||
File access level: Anyone |
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