The Communication Theory of Identity: Investigating Sources, Communication Strategies, and Outcomes of Identity Gaps Management during College Internships

Nuchada Dumrongsiri

Authors

Nuchada Dumrongsiri Faculty of Liberal Arts, Thammasat University

Keywords:

communication theory of identity, identity gaps, communication strategies, communication satisfaction, internship

Abstract

The communication theory of identity (CTI) posits that identity is inseparable from communication and outlines four interrelated identity frames that are influenced through communication: personal, enacted, relational, and communal. When these identity frames contradict one another, identity gaps occur. Although identity gaps appear in various contexts, the literature provides limited insight into how people manage them. College internships represent a setting in which students may experience identity gaps during the transition from university to workplace. This study aims to further explain (1) the sources of identity gaps, (2) how interns respond to these identity gaps, and (3) whether such responses result in positive outcomes. Participants (N = 20) were undergraduates majoring in language and visual arts who completed a 1–3-month internship during their junior or senior year. They were recruited through snowball sampling and participated in 30- to 60-minute interviews. The findings revealed seven sources of identity gaps and four communication strategies to cope with them, leading to both positive and negative outcomes, including communication satisfaction, career interest, and self-exploration. Theoretical and practical implications are suggested for future research.

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