Theories of Identity, Stryker Vs McCall and Simmons

Theories of Identity

Sheldon Stryker comparison with George J McCall and JL Simmons

Stryker’s identity theory is mainly about the idea that there is a social structure and that structure dictates how a person creates an identity. However in the McCall and Simmons theory it is not so structured. Their theory is that is more about how someone wants to be seen and be supported as that identity. The similarities are that in both theories, the identity can change but it needs an acceptance by audience.

In Stryker’s theory he writes that a person identity is all about the social context. The importance of that identity will change on the social surroundings, meaning a person can change their identity. The organization of the identity is chosen by environment, the way a person speaks to their boss is different to the way they speak to friends.  The more important the job is the higher the identity goes in the salience hierarchy and the more real the identity becomes. This is similar to McCall and Simmons’ idea that the more reward you get from a role performance the more the role becomes real. However, they say that a person already has an expectation of their role. If their role performance gets less of a reaction to what they were thinking the person beings to leave that role/identity alone. The higher reaction or more of a reaction they were thinking of, the more they start to commit tot the role. Commitment to a role in Stryker’s theory is all about getting that role legitimized. The more the role is commitment to with success the self-esteem becomes better, meaning the role will be more successful. In McCall and Simmons’ they talk about reward systems. There are intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. Extrinsic rewards are more physical like money whereas intrinsic rewards are emotional like happiness. There is also support of an identity, which is the most important. These rewards are similar to Freud’s idea about the Ego. The three different egos play a part in identity making, but Superego itself is all about having goals, which relates to winning the role support. Freud’s theory on the Ego having a defensive mechanism is also apparent in McCall and Simmons’ theory, they suggest if a role isn’t supported a person can blame a lot of different things such as the audience themselves.

However, in the Stryker theory it suggests an identify is made with the environment in mind, knowing it will fit into the situation in hand.  Like the Lacan’s idea of the Mirror Stage, things are determined at birth. Your social environment is determined when you are born so persons social surroundings are already well known. A person will know how to act around certain people because they have learned this for a while.

There are a lot of similarities between the two theories but one is more structured and predetermined than the other. Stryker’s is more about social environment and being appropriate with the social structures. Whereas McCall and Simmons’ is more about role acceptance and a person self-belief.