Self-definition in thought, action and life path choices

Self-definition, a personality style associated with internally developed identity and behavior is differentiated from social definition, the tendency to adopt social category definitions of self These personality patterns, sampled in imaginative thought, were related to plans, actions, rationales, and life outcomes both cross-sectionally and longitudinally over 14 years in a sample of 118 women first studied as college seniors. Self-defining women showed more autonomy in relation to personal relationships and the traditional female role, took more instrumental initiatives, sought excellence in multiple roles with less role conflict, and took more social system initiatives (starting and leading organizations and goal-oriented family-formation activities). Socially defined women chose more traditionally female careers initially, reported more career goal indecision and compromises, changed to more role-innovative careers, reported more role conflict, and gave more social rationales for actions.