Abstract
This paper offers an explanation of Erik Erikson's work, titled "Identity and the Life Cycle." The paper outlines the ways in which the human ego develops in the context of social and cultural realities and is divided into three major sections. "Identity and the Life Cycle" explains ego development and historical change as a function of the specific space and time in which an individual is born.

From the Paper
"At the outset of "Identity and the Life Cycle", Erikson distances himself from Sigmund Freud. On page 18, the author criticizes specifically the "artificial differentiation" between the individual within the family and the individual within the mass of society. While Freud overly focused on familial issues and influences on the budding child ego, Erikson takes this one step further and claims that the individual's perception of socio-cultural realities are equally as significant. It is impossible, according to Erikson, to differentiate between familial and cultural or historical influences; individuals and families do not exist in isolation from the group in which they are formed."

Tags:human, development, psychology, ego, self

Abstract
This paper explores two possible ways of reaching the concept of the soul as a constituent or determiner of personal identity; a) as a result of empirical evidence, and b) as an assumption on which a theory of personal identity can be built. Both pose problems for the soul criterion of personal identity. Firstly, the paper argues that a posteriori concept of the soul is invariably tied to psycho-physical continuity, making the soul useless in determining identity beyond the scope of psychological and physical analyses of personal identity over time. Secondly, the paper suggests that an a priori definition of the soul constitutes ad hoc for the personal identity problem. Finally, the paper assesses whether a sensible view of the soul might be reached through the theory of subjective or "flexible" survival and the use of faith rather than logic.

Outline:
A Posteriori Soul
A Priori Soul
Desire and the Unobservable
Conclusions

From the Paper
"The position against unobservability can be found through faith. Theists could make the claim that even though God cannot be observed through the senses, we can be aware of its existence and perhaps even its nature. Why, then, should we be oblivious to the nature of the soul, if it seems to have similar properties? This could be explained in terms of a "sixth sense", a kind of "soul detector". The claim of being able to perceive "auras" or "spirits" are not uncommon, albeit usually discredited. A case could be put forward in which "faith" is the inherent quality that human beings have to observe or experience otherwise unobservable things. This view, however, leans towards ad hoc. Nonetheless, the claim that belief in the soul criterion, as is the case with the belief in God, is a matter of faith and not of logic is widely held, particularly by religious people."

Tags:Posteriori, Priori

Abstract
This essay will explore the issue of how identity is mapped onto individuals through the use of language. The models established by Lacanian literary criticism will provide part of the theoretical basis of the essay. However, this essay also recognizes criticism that has been made of Lacanian theory with respect to its so-called real-world relevance by critics operating from a New Historicist perspective. Therefore, elements of this New Historicist approach will be used to reinforce Lancanian theory of identity. This essay will argue, through a reading of the novels "Black Baby" and "The Woman Warrior", that an understanding of identity, gender and race in the modern context requires a recognition of both psychological and ideological forces, and how they unite in the (mis)shaping of identity.

Abstract
This paper discusses how art and psychology stand in a very close relation to each other, psychology having been considered by some scholars as " the closest science to art", because of the obvious psychological involvement of both creator and his audience in the artistic process. The paper further discusses how one of the most circulated themes in artistic creation is that of the subconscious itself, and the typical psychological problems that arise from the conflict between the subconscious impulses and patterns and the conscious world.

From the Paper
"However, the relationship does not go any further than this, and they avoid actually performing adultery. Four years from their separation, the dull Mr. Duffy sits as usual reading his paper and having supper at the same time, after his usual habit. While reading, he suddenly comes to a newspaper article talking about "a painful case": an absurd train accident who caused the death of a middle aged woman, who is none else than Mrs. Sinico. This is the whole plot of the story. The significant psychological facts about it are, first of all the personality or psychological structure of Mr. Duffy, who is a telling example of a man who leads an ordinary and very well-structured life, filled with numerous life-habits, and who is not able to reconcile his own subconscious instincts and desires with his conscious ideas about life. The details of the room he lives in, as well as of his everyday habits, are indicative of a sort of oppressing emptiness, due to the character's lack of awareness about his own self and his own psychological needs."

Tags:psychologists, identity, spiritual, emotional, sexual, symbolically, communication

Abstract
This paper takes a brief look at these three books, including differences in style and approach to their subject matter.

From the Paper
"All three of the textbooks I compared offer different perspectives on the subject of dissociative identity disorder (DID), but are similar in many ways. One of the ways in which the textbooks are the same is in the way that dissociative identity disorder is defined."

Tags:disorder, multiple, personality

Abstract
In this paper, Sigmund Freud's research into sexuality bisexuality, homosexuality, gender issues) is reviewed. The paper holds that Freud is respected for much of the original research he conducted into the differences between the sexes, the personality issues that are affected by psycho/sexual dynamics, dream psychology, gender identity and other areas of psychology. It claims, however, that more than a hundred years after his work, there are more than a few questions about the objectivity of his research, the credibility of his theories, and accuracy of his work. The paper concludes that after examining the events that were happening in his life during the time he conducted some of the research, there is room for some doubt.

From the Paper
"Meanwhile, according to Myths and Mysteries of Same Sex Love (Christine Downing), Freud himself was involved in "perversions" (e.g., homosexual relationships) with other men, namely Josef Breuer, Wilhelm Fliess (beginning in 1887) and later with Carl Jung, his close associate in research - a third gay relationship which was at its most intense period from 1907-1912, according to Downing (24). Knowing this information could possibly have the potential of casting a shadow of doubt on some of Freud's work in the area of same sex relationships and same sex research."

Tags:homosexuality, sex, relationship, psychotherapy

Abstract
The paper explains that dissociative identity disorder is a psychological condition in which traumatic memories become disconnected from a person's normal awareness, or consciousness, thereby shielding the person from the pain or fear associated with the trauma. The paper explains that it causes the individual to experience her psyche/identity as disconnected or split into distinct parts. The paper lists the recognized types of dissociative disorders and the most common symptoms.

From the Paper
"Dissociative disorders are uncommon, affecting an estimated 1 percent to 2 percent of the population. This kind of disorder affects females more often than males and most often begin whenever the abuse or traumatic event occurred (http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2800/2819.asp?index=9786&src=news, 2002). Many have tried to give a full and much detailed definition on Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), because there have been an increasing number of reported cases of this 'illness'."

Tags:trauma, psyche, disconnected, pain, fear

Abstract
This paper provides a review and analysis of the 2010 article "Creating Place Identity: It's Part of Human Nature," written by Jeanette Joy Fisher. The paper explains that this particular aspect of one's identity is composed of characteristics and physical dimensions that foster one's definition of self and are included in one's self-identity in a manner that helps one to function successfully in society. The paper defines place identity as those dimensions of self that define the individual's personal identity in relation to the physical environment by means of a complex pattern of conscious and unconscious ideas, feelings, values, goals, preferences, skills, and behavioral tendencies relevant to a specific environment. The paper concludes that over the last 40 years, as it has taken research from a number of other domains, environmental psychology has become unique and multidisciplinary domain that has earned the trust of other spheres of influence, and society itself.

Outline:
Creating Place Identity
Loss of Control
Influence of Immigration on Environmental Psychology
The Capacity for Reactive Change and Plasticity
Factors That Restrict or Compel a Society to Change
Local Focus and Control
Perception of Risks and Hazards
Experience
Adaptation versus Mitigation
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Adapting to environmental hazards suggests undertaking long-term changes in a manner that allows society to use the environment while interacting with it. Mitigation offers short-term measures like housing rehabilitation and insurance that reduce losses. An excellent example of the difference between mitigative and adaptive responses would be water shortages caused by an influx of people over a short period. In view of the fact most droughts are experienced on the community or regional level (Pagerankstudio, 2010), information must be provided by a trusted division of science and psychology. Environmental psychology has drawn upon other domains like environmental education that has research dating as far back as the 18th century (AbsoluteAstronomy, 2010), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS, 2010) that has provided comprehensive environmental information since 1879. This in itself is an enormous amount of research and information from the perspective of a multidisciplinary domain; therefore, environmental psychology provides an excellent resource for both long and short-term environmental and psychological challenges."

Tags:place, identity, adaptation, mitigation

Abstract
The paper discusses how the validity of DID is important for the psychologist working in the field of modern psychology, since there are crucial factors in ego states that deny or process identity within the person with this condition. The paper explains that although the outdated MPD may provide too narrow a definition for those "split personality" features or ego states often seen with trauma survivors, there is a greater collusion of studies that use amnesia and other ego defenses that confuse a sense of self. The paper asserts that DID is a valid disorder that certainly needs more evaluation and clinical trials.

From the Paper
"This study on the validity of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) will examine the studies done on early childhood trauma, amnesia, and the multiple ego theories that prove this diagnosis empirically exists. By examining these definitive facets of the diagnosis, one can realize the depth of DID in relation to other connected disorders that validate multiple egos and early developmental trauma as a source for this condition. By organizing and evaluating modern research that has been done in relation to patients with multiple egos within various time frames, one can understand the diagnostic definition of DID as essential contrasting..."

Tags:disorder, psychology, dissociative

Abstract
In this paper, the writer identifies who he or she is, according to certain theories studied in class that are laid out in the text. These include the observational learning model, Piaget's stages of cognitive development, and Erikson's stages of psychological development. The writer points out that all of these go toward making a comprehensive self identity.

From the Paper
"One of the most fascinating questions that we all focus on at various stages in our lives is the definition of who we are. We express this in many different ways - during deep discussions with friends, for example, but also as a function of our everyday actions, and the choices we make, both large and small. It is accurate to say that who we are - personal identity - is present very early in life, but it gets stronger and more distinct as life goes on. In some ways, personal identity may also develop as life goes on, changing and going in different directions."

Tags:psychology, identity, theory