THE MEANING OF SELF-IN-ROLE - A MODIFIED MEASURE OF ROLE-IDENTITY

The Burke-Tully technique for the measurement of role-identity offers a theoretically sophisticated quantitative measure of self-in-role. Since its development it has been used to explain a wide range of behaviors from a symbolic is perspective. Three general problem areas, however, challenge its reliability and validity. (1) the identification of counteridentities, (2) the use of adjectives to assess meaning, and (3) cumbersome and lengthy implementation and construction procedures. In this study a modified measure of self-in-role is developed that avoids these three areas. An empirical application of the modified measure demonstrates relatively strong construct validity and a predictive power equal to that of the Burke-Tully technique.