Research Projects for M and D Students 2025 (Supervisor: Dr. Nonhlanhla Masinga)

Project 1: 

Possible identities and the implications for delinquent behaviour 

Brief Description 

Adolescents conceptualise a variety of “possible identities” that they could become. These possible identities open possibilities and opportunities. While exploring these possibilities, an individual tries to attain the hoped-for self and at the same time working towards avoiding the feared future self. Previous research found that balancing positive (hoped-for) possible identities to negative (feared) possible identities boosts adolescents’ motivation and increases performance (Oyserman & Fryberg, 2006) as they develop strategies to attain their positive while avoiding their negative possible identities. Previous research has, however, also shown that imbalance of possible identities predicts delinquent behaviour (Oyserman & Markus, 1990a, 1990b). Delinquency is a serious concern during adolescence, and it places them at risk for physical injury and engagement in non-normative behaviour. The proposed research project aims at identifying psychological factors that influence the balance versus imbalance of possible identities as they are considered important for future intervention programmes. 

References and further Readings 

Meek, R. (2011). The possible selves of young fathers in prison. Journal of Adolescence, 34, 941–949.  

Oyserman, D., & Destin, M, (2010). Identity-based motivation: Implications for intervention. The Counselling Psychologist, 38(7), 1001-1043. 

Oyserman, D., & Fryberg, S. (2006). The Possible Selves of Diverse Adolescents: Content and Function Across Gender, Race and National Origin. In C. Dunkel & J. Kerpelman (Eds.), Possible selves: Theory, research, and application (pp. 17-39). Huntington, NY: Nova. 

Oyserman, D., & Markus, H. (1990a). Possible selves and delinquency. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59, 112–125. 

Oyserman, D., & Markus, H. (1990b). Possible selves in balance: Implications for delinquency. Journal of Social Issues, 46, 141–157. 

Oyserman, D., & Saltz, E. (1993). Competence, delinquency, and attempts to attain possible selves. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 360–374. 

Pierce, J., Schmidt, C., & Stoddard, S. (2015). The role of feared possible selves on the relationship between peer influence and delinquency. Journal of Adolescence, 17-26. 

Methodologies 

Survey Designs 

Supervisor  

Dr Nonhlanhla Masinga (masinnc1@unisa.ac.za) 

Space available 

1 MA or 1 PhD student 

Project 2: 

It starts with understanding who you are: Identity statuses and their influence on academic performance 

Brief Description 

According to Erikson, an adolescent’s central questions are “Who am I?” and “Who do I want to be?”. Adolescence is the period of personal, relational and social identity formation during which adolescents explore, test limits, become autonomous, and commit to a sense of self. Four identity formation statuses are distinguished according to Marcia (1993, 2001): not yet committed, active exploration, commitment and achievement. During each stage, adolescents face different psychological challenges which are assumed to impact on their academic performance. Therefore, the proposed research project aims at identifying these psychological challenges and exploring how a supportive environment motivates adolescents to persist academically and assists them in making informed career choices.  

References and further Readings 

Kroger, J., Martinussen, M., & Marcia, J. E. (2010). Identity status change during adolescence and young adulthood: A meta-analysis. Journal of adolescence, 33(5), 683-698. 

Marcia, J. E. (1966). Development and validation of the ego identity status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 3(5), 551-558.  

Marcia, J. E. (1980). Identity in adolescence. In J. Adelson (Ed.) Handbook of Adolescent Psychology. New York: Wiley 

Marcia, J. E. (1993). The ego identity status approach to ego identity. In Ego identity (pp. 3-21). Springer, New York, NY. 

Marcia, J. E. (2006). Ego identity and personality disorders. Journal of Personality Disorders, 20(6), 577-596.  

Oyserman, D., Elmore, K., & Smith, G. (2012). Self, self-concept and identity. In M.R Leary and J.P Tangney Handbook of Self and Identity (pp. 69-104). The Guilford Press.  

Methodologies 

Survey Designs 

Supervisor  

Dr Nonhlanhla Masinga (masinnc1@unisa.ac.za) 

Space available 

1 MA or 1 PhD student