The Kaleidoscope Of You | Stephanie Washburn | TEDxUCF

TL;DR

Identity research reveals the impact of self-perception on motivation and behavior.

Transcript

next up is our first student speaker of the evening she's majoring in Psychology and minoring in statistics for the last three years she's been researching and exploring identity and development today she's going to share with us her results please welcome Stephanie [Applause] wasmer hello everyone back in the year of 2020 I embarked on my journey ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🏭 Our identities are multifaceted, influenced by various factors like culture and experiences.
• 👨‍🔬 Research shows a correlation between identity distress and diminished cognitive functions.
• 🤳 Aligning behavior with our self-perception boosts motivation and fosters long-term change.
• 🛟 Identity influences how we experience life and perceive ourselves.
• 🤱 Identifying as a Survivor versus a victim affects psychological well-being in breast cancer survivors.
• 💠 Motivation stems from our identities, shaping our behaviors and daily choices.
• ⚾ Cultivating identity-based behaviors involves choosing who we want to become and reinforcing that identity through actions.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Stephanie Wasmer's research journey begin?

Stephanie started her research journey in 2020 as an undergraduate student paired with a psychology professor at the University of Central Florida, focusing on identity and development.

Q: What factors contribute to our identities?

Our identities are shaped by a mix of social upbringing, culture, experiences, and beliefs that form the lens through which we view the world and interact with it.

Q: How do our identities impact our everyday functions?

Research indicates that identity distress can lead to diminished executive functions, affecting our working memory, perception, attention, and cognition in daily life.

Q: What role do identities play in motivation?

Our identities are powerful motivators, influencing behavior and decision-making. Aligning behaviors with our self-perception enhances intrinsic motivation and sustains long-term change.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Stephanie Wasmer discusses her research on identity and development.

• Our identities are complex and shape how we perceive and interact with the world.

• Studies show how identity influences motivation, well-being, and cognitive functions.