The Identity-forming function of meaning in life

Abstract

The connection between the individual meaning of life and the personal and social identity of an individual is revealed. Classical and modern conceptions that consider the meaning of life as a prerequisite for the formation, component of the structure and the necessary condition for the functioning of identity are discussed. On the basis of generalization of theoretical and empirical material, psychological mechanisms for identification function of the meaning of life are defined. It is shown that the meaning of life serves as a subjective identifier – content of the inner world (self-consciousness), on the basis of which the person, firstly, establishes the continuity of his own self; secondly, relates itself to other people, social groups, societies and cultures, determines its own likeness and belonging to them, develops a sense of solidarity and ownership. In this function, the meaning of life is a psychological mean by which the operations of comparison, opposition and identification are carried out in the systems of relations «Me - not Me» (personal identity) and «Me – We – They» (social identity). Particular attention is paid to the psychological regularities of the correlation and mutual transitions of the crisis of meaninglessness and identity crisis in the development of the individual. The main lines for further theoretical analysis and empirical verification of the relationship between the meaning of life and the personal and social identity are outlined. In general, the analysis shows that the meaning of life as a phenomenon is inherent polyfunctionality, e.g. the multiplicity and heterogeneity of functions performed in the context of the development and functioning of the individual.