Summary of Identity construction

Individuals create possible selves when encounter new environments. The possible self is the one that they would love to become, which is defined as the social identity. When possible self is established, individuals tend to act according to the possible self. Identity refers to the various meanings attached to a person by self and others (Gecas, 1992). There are two kinds of identities. One is based on people's social roles and group membership (social identity). The other is based on personal trait (personal identities)

Identities are constructed and negotiated in social interactions by sending signals about how people view themselves and how they want other people to view them. After getting feedback from others, they maintain or modify their identities (Swann, 1987). 

Identity can change through establishing possible selves. Possible selves have two impacts on individuals (Markus and Nurius, 1986). First, Possible self guides individuals' attentions and behaviors, so that individuals can select behaviors for trail and assess the behaviors. For example, in experimental learning, when people start to adopt the behaviors that are associated with the roles that they desire, they are creating possible self and the possible self further direct them to act as the roles that they admire. Second, possible self also serves as the benchmark for individuals to assess their own behaviors, which directs them to maintain or modify their behaviors.

From the interpersonal perspective, individuals tend to act for their own interest if they can pretend they are moral. The actions to engage in moral hypocrisy show individuals' awareness that they want be moral. The awareness of morality serves as on contextual cue for individuals to create a possible self. Therefore, in the next period, people tend to act according to the moral criteria if there is no chance to act in a self-interest way. 

Reference:

Gecas, V. (1992). Socialization. Encyclopedia of sociology, 4, 1863-1872.

Swann, W. B., Griffin, J. J., Predmore, S. C., & Gaines, B. (1987). The cognitive–affective crossfire: When self-consistency confronts self-enhancement. Journal of personality and social psychology, 52(5), 881.

Markus, H., & Nurius, P. (1986). Possible selves. American psychologist, 41(9), 954.