Political and International Approaches

Political and International Approaches

The Nature of the Identity Analysis Framework and How to Apply It to the Study of Social Phenomena

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Saeed Naderi Asl 1
Hamid Houshangi 2
1 Political Sociology, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Political Sciences, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran;
2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Political Science, Imam Sadiq University, , Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
10.48308/piaj.2026.243801.1870
Abstract
Introduction: Identity is a fundamental and multi-faceted concept within the social and human sciences, serving as the core of "self-definition" and the bedrock for the cohesion, differentiation, and action of groups and organizations. Despite its critical importance, existing academic analyses of identity frequently suffer from three major deficiencies: thematic fragmentation, where research is isolated into specific variables like language or religion; superficial level-based divisions that fail to connect individual, group, and national dynamics; and a lack of comprehensive integration between economic, security, and social sectors. This research addresses the "methodological vacuum in the integrated and systematic analysis of identity" by developing an innovative analytical framework. The primary objective is to construct and validate a comprehensive tool for examining identity within various social and political phenomena. This framework aims to move beyond mere description toward creating an operational "meta-framework" capable of explaining complex events and providing a systematic model that integrates psychological, sociological, and political theories. It is designed to be a diagnostic tool for policymakers and researchers to identify the deep roots of social challenges and identity crises.

Methods: This study is exploratory–developmental and uses inferential qualitative content analysis to reconstruct meaning in textual data. Data were collected through a systematic review of scholarly sources with a focus on authored texts (books). Selection criteria included publication after 1996, being an authored work, and the authors' academic credibility. Consequently, 12 key books by prominent scholars such as Manuel Castells, Richard Jenkins, Amartya Sen, and Hossein Kachooyan were selected. The analysis proceeded in three steps: (1) preparation and extraction of initial theoretical constructs; (2) thematic coding and extraction of identity items and their categorization; and (3) conceptual synthesis and design of the final analytical framework.

Result & Discussion: The findings indicate that a robust identity analysis framework must be process-oriented and multi-layered rather than static. The constructed framework consists of four fundamental levels: the individual level (focusing on self-concept), the relational level (interpersonal interactions), the collective level (group affiliations), and the institutional/discourse-based level (power structures and systemic narratives). Unlike traditional essentialist models that view identity as a fixed entity, this framework adopts a social constructivist approach, viewing identity as a continuous "becoming" and a narrative process. Key components identified through the synthesis include "Agency" (the capacity for action), "Belonging" (emotional and social ties), "Representation" (how identity is portrayed), "Distinction" (differentiation from others), and "Recognition" (validation by the social environment). The framework successfully bridges the gap between micro-level psychological needs and macro-level sociological structures, allowing for a deep interpretation of how subjective experiences are influenced by power dynamics and cultural discourses.

Conclusion: The developed framework serves as a comprehensive "Meta-Framework" that integrates diverse and often conflicting identity theories into a coherent system. It provides a practical, step-by-step guide for analyzing concrete social phenomena, such as political protests or cultural shifts, by linking individual lived narratives to broader structural dynamics. By moving away from purely Western-centric models and incorporating indigenous considerations—especially relevant to the Iranian socio-political context—this framework offers a more accurate tool for social analysts. It enables a transition from fragmented "island-like" research to an integrated systemic understanding. Ultimately, this framework enhances the effectiveness of cultural and security policymaking by providing a clear map of identity components and their internal dynamics, ensuring that social interventions are rooted in a sophisticated understanding of identity's multi-dimensional nature.
Keywords
Identity
Analytical Framework
Qualitative Content Analysis
Identity Politics
Systematic Review
 
References
‒   Ahmadi, H. (2009), Foundations of Iranian national identity: A theoretical framework for citizen-centered national identity. Tehran: Institute for Cultural and Social Studies.
‒   Ahmadlou, H., & Afrough, E. (2002), An investigation of the relationship between national identity and ethnic identity among the youth of Tabriz. National Studies, 13(4), 109-143. [In Persian]
‒   Albert, S., & Whetten, D. A. (1985), Organizational identity. Research in Organizational Behavior, 7, 263–295.
‒   Amid, H. (1992), Amid Persian dictionary. Tehran: Amirkabir Publications. [In Persian]
‒   Anderson, B. (1983), Imagined communities: Reflections on the origin and spread of nationalism. Verso.
‒   Bogner, A., Littig, B., & Menz, W. (2009), Interviewing experts. Palgrave Macmillan.
‒   Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006), Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
‒   Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019), Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589–597.
‒   Breakwell, G. M. (1986), Coping with threatened identities. Methuen.
‒   Brewer, M. B. (1991), The social self: On being the same and different at the same time. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 17(5), 475–482. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167291175001
‒   Brubaker, R., & Cooper, F. (2000), Beyond identity. Theory and Society, 29(1), 1–47. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007068714468
‒   Burke, P. J., & Stets, J. E. (2009), Identity theory. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
‒   Castells, M. (2004), The power of identity. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
‒   Côté, J. E., & Levine, C. G. (2002), Identity, formation, agency, and culture. New York, NY: Psychology Press.
‒   Crenshaw, K. (1991), Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241–1299.
‒   Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017), Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
‒   du Gay, P., Evans, J., & Redman, P. (2000), Identity: A reader. London, UK: SAGE Publications Ltd.
‒   Elo, S., & Kyngäs, H. (2008), The qualitative content analysis process. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 62(1), 107–115.
‒   Elo, S., Kääriäinen, M., Kanste, O., Pölkki, T., Utriainen, K., & Kyngäs, H. (2014), Qualitative content analysis: A focus on trustworthiness. SAGE Open, 4(1), 1–10.
‒   Erikson, E. H. (1968), Identity: Youth and crisis. W.W. Norton & Company.
‒   Gale, N. K., Heath, G., Cameron, E., Rashid, S., & Redwood, S. (2013), Using the framework method for analyzing qualitative data in multi-disciplinary health research. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 13, 117. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-13-117
‒   Gioia, D. A., Schultz, M., & Corley, K. G. (2000), Organizational identity, image, and adaptive instability. Academy of Management Review, 25(1), 63–81.
‒   Goffman, E. (1959), The presentation of self in everyday life. Doubleday.
‒   Guest, G., Bunce, A., & Johnson, L. (2006), How many interviews are enough? An experiment with data saturation and variability. Field Methods, 18(1), 59–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X05279903
‒   Hall, S. (1990), Cultural identity and diaspora. In J. Rutherford (Ed.), Identity: Community, culture, difference (pp. 222–237), London: Lawrence & Wishart.
‒   Hall, S. (1996), The question of cultural identity. Modernity: An Introduction to Modern Societies, 596–630. Blackwell Publishers.
‒   Heidari, M. (2004), Identity in Iran with an emphasis on national and religious identities: Education and new discourses. Institute for Educational Research, 31(1), 1-10. [In Persian]
‒   Hennink, M. M., Kaiser, B. N., & Marconi, V. C. (2017), Code saturation versus meaning saturation: How many interviews are enough? Qualitative Health Research, 27(4), 591–608. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732316665344
‒   Hsieh, H. F., & Shannon, S. E. (2005), Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277–1288.
‒   Hsu, C. C., & Sandford, B. A. (2007), The Delphi technique: Making sense of consensus. Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 12(10), 1–8.
‒   Hushangi, Hamid; Naderi Asl, Saeed (2025), The State of Religiosity in Iranian Society: A Comparison of Two Collective Identity Surveys. Quarterly Journal of National Studies, 26(103), 131–146. doi:10.22034/rjnsq.2025.495323.1654 [In Persian]
‒   Jabareen, Y. (2009), Building a conceptual framework: Philosophy, definitions, and procedure. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 8(4), 49–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940690900800406
‒   Jenkins, R. (2001), Social identity. London, UK: Routledge.
‒   Jenkins, R. (2002), Social identity (T. Yarmohammadi, Trans.). Tehran: Shirazeh Publications. [In Persian]
‒   Kachooyan, H. (2005), The evolution of Iranian identity discourses: Iran in the conflict between modernity and postmodernity. Tehran: Ney Publications. [In Persian]
‒   Kallio, H., Pietilä, A. M., Johnson, M., & Kangasniemi, M. (2016), Systematic methodological review: Developing a framework for a qualitative semi-structured interview guide. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(12), 2954–2965. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13031
‒   Kenny, M. (2004), The politics of identity: Liberal political theory and the dilemmas of difference. Cambridge, UK: Polity.
‒   Krippendorff, K. (2018), Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
‒   Laclau, E., & Mouffe, C. (2001), Hegemony and socialist strategy: Towards a radical democratic politics (2nd ed.), London: Verso.
‒   Lawler, S. (2007), Identity: Sociological perspectives. Cambridge, UK: Polity.
‒   Maxwell, J. A. (2012), A Realist Approach for Qualitative Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
‒   McAdams, D. P., & McLean, K. C. (2013), Narrative identity. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(3), 233–238. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721413475622
‒   Melucci, A. (1995), The new social movements revisited: Reflections on a sociological misunderstanding. Social Movement Studies, 2(1), 1–18.
‒   Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2019), Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
‒   Naderi Asl, Saeed; Hosseini, Seyyed Javād (2025), A Layered Analysis of the 2022 Protests Based on the Conceptual Model of Manipulated MovementsPolitical and International Approaches, 17(1), 93–119. doi:10.48308/piaj.2025.237974.1619 [In Persian]
‒   Najafi, M. (2013), Identity studies: On the theory of national identity in Iran and its reflection in culture, history, and politics. Isfahan: Arma Publications.
‒   Navaseri, A. (2020), National identity in contemporary Iranian discourses. Tehran: Gam-e No Publications. [In Persian]
‒   Proshansky, H. M., Fabian, A. K., & Kaminoff, R. (1983), Place-identity: Physical world socialization of the self. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 3(1), 57–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(83)80021-8
‒   Ravitch, S. M., & Riggan, M. (2017), Reason & Rigor: How Conceptual Frameworks Guide Research (2nd ed.), Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
‒   Roccas, S., & Brewer, M. B. (2002), Social identity complexity. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 6(2), 88–106. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327957PSPR0602_01
‒   Schreier, M. (2012), Qualitative Content Analysis in Practice. London: SAGE Publications.
‒   Sen, A. (1999), Identity and violence: The illusion of destiny. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.
‒   Smith, A. D. (1991), National identity. University of Nevada Press.
‒   Stryker, S. (1968), Identity salience and role performance: The relevance of symbolic interaction theory for family research. Journal of Marriage and Family, 30(4), 558–564.
‒   Stryker, S., & Burke, P. J. (2000), The past, present, and future of an identity theory. Social Psychology Quarterly, 63(4), 284–297. https://doi.org/10.2307/2695840
‒   Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979), An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations, 33(47), 74–93.
‒   Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1986), The social identity theory of intergroup behavior. In S. Worchel & W. G. Austin (Eds.), Psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 7–24). Chicago: Nelson-Hall.
‒   Vignoles, V. L., Regalia, C., Manzi, C., Golledge, J., & Scabini, E. (2006), Beyond self-esteem: Influence of multiple motives on identity construction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90(2), 308–333. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.90.2.308
‒   Wetherell, M., & Mohanty, C. T. (Eds.), (2010), The SAGE handbook of identities. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications Ltd.
‒   Wodak, R., De Cillia, R., Reisigl, M., & Liebhart, K. (2009), The discursive construction of national identity (2nd ed.). Edinburgh University Press.