Abstract
The objective of this work was to study the development of identity in changing contexts. The site of study was machining
work in the automotive industry. Machining is an economically critical activity undergoing rapid technological change, with
the changes occurring within the working lives of individuals. The development of individuals was considered within the context
of the culturally organized human activities in which they occurred. The informants were skilled machinists working for a
major automotive company in the United States. A developmental perspective, based on cultural historical theory, together
with C. S. Pierce’s theory of sign generation, provided an explanatory framework for the development of identity as a self-regulatory
higher psychological function.
work in the automotive industry. Machining is an economically critical activity undergoing rapid technological change, with
the changes occurring within the working lives of individuals. The development of individuals was considered within the context
of the culturally organized human activities in which they occurred. The informants were skilled machinists working for a
major automotive company in the United States. A developmental perspective, based on cultural historical theory, together
with C. S. Pierce’s theory of sign generation, provided an explanatory framework for the development of identity as a self-regulatory
higher psychological function.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-18
- DOI 10.1007/s10804-011-9139-6
- Authors
- Kedmon Hungwe, Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences, Michigan Technological University, 210 Meese Center, Houghton, MI 49931, USA
- Journal Journal of Adult Development
- Online ISSN 1573-3440
- Print ISSN 1068-0667