A theory of core identities

Abstract The idea of a core self has been pointed out as missing from identity theory. In this paper, I show how such an idea can be incorporated in identity theory by building on basic principles that already exist within the theory. By focusing not only on meanings and identities but on the relationships between them as well as the person holding them, we can see how a core identity emerges. The idea of a core meaning is introduced as one that is in many identities and therefore frequently controlled (salient) across situations and identities. An identity that contains many core meanings may be called a core identity, and it would of necessity be salient. The set of all core identities within the self may be called a core self, and because of the shared meanings across identities and situations, the core self provides a sense of coherence and continuity to the person holding the identities.