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Constructing Adolescent Social Identities in the Context of Globalization and Transnationalism: A Case Study of Five Adolescents in Innsbruck, Austria, and Their Engagement in Hip Hop

Averill, Julia
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1471426579

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, EDU Teaching and Learning.
This qualitative study addresses the research problem of understanding and theorizing the construction of social identity among adolescents in the current context of globalization and transnationalism. To address the question, the study focused on five young men in Innsbruck, Austria, who were self-described “hip hoppers.” Hip hop is more than a musical style; it is a complex, diverse, and sometimes contradictory social and cultural movement and ideology that is both global and local. It lies at the nexus of globalization and transnationalism, playing itself out in diverse ways in local settings globally. The theoretical perspective of the study emphasized the variability and contextual embeddedness of social identities as part of the performativity of identity (a theory espoused by Butler). This theoretical perspective argues that social identity is multiple and iterative, meaning that participants are continually enacting and modifying their social identities as their contexts change over time and space. Social identity is, according to this study, socially constructed and governed by the relationships and environments in which the participants function. The sociolinguistic principles guiding this study are analyzed derived from microethnographic discourse analysis. The spoken linguistic codes performed by the participants and the literacy practices these codes enable the subject to not only their own social constructions, but those given to their practical cultural environments. Language is viewed as a code through which the participants can communicate their hip hop affinities and an inclusion in a hip hop community. The methodologies and research methods employed in this study are compatible with the principles and practices of ethnographic and sociolinguistic research as are the values placed on individual’s experience and agency in various contexts and how they are revealed to the researcher. The logic of inquiry for the study was informed overall by ethnographic epistemology that is research sought to identify the individual particularities of individuals deeply embedded in the various contexts of their existence and how those aspects change over time, space, and relationships. As in ethnography, this qualitative study aims to acknowledge a full range of experiences and the ways that they are embedded within variable contexts and as they are interpreted by the ethnographer who is engaged with the participants. Methods involve both emic and etic interpretations. The study took place over 18 months in the two Innsbruck area high schools where the participants attended. Data collection included participant observation, lexical survey, individual and paired interviews, as well as participant-recorded videos of hip hop activity. Data analysis involved (a) thematic analysis which is consistent with grounded theory; and (b) abductive interpretation (analogic reasoning). The major findings of the study regarding the construction of social identity were: • the influence of global and local relationships, • that identities were idealized and performed iteratively, • authenticity as a central motivation, and the role of tensions between collectivism and individualism as societal ideologies.
David Bloome, PhD (Committee Chair)
Sarah Gallo, PhD (Committee Member)
Alan Hirvela, PhD (Committee Member)
Jan Nespor, PhD (Committee Member)
Cynthia Selfe, PhD (Committee Member)
170 p.
Education
transnationalism; social identity; hip hop; Austria; authenticity; global-local; performativity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Averill, J. (2016). Constructing Adolescent Social Identities in the Context of Globalization and Transnationalism: A Case Study of Five Adolescents in Innsbruck, Austria, and Their Engagement in Hip Hop [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1471426579

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Averill, Julia. Constructing Adolescent Social Identities in the Context of Globalization and Transnationalism: A Case Study of Five Adolescents in Innsbruck, Austria, and Their Engagement in Hip Hop. 2016. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1471426579.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Averill, Julia. "Constructing Adolescent Social Identities in the Context of Globalization and Transnationalism: A Case Study of Five Adolescents in Innsbruck, Austria, and Their Engagement in Hip Hop." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1471426579

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1471426579
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.