Nazywam się... O doświadczaniu imion i nazwisk w procesie interakcyjnej kategoryzacji i konstruowania tożsamości człowieka

Abstract

The dissertation analyzes the phenomenon of experiencing names and surnames. Its main aim is to explore the roles they play in everyday interactions and in constructing individual and collective identity. Special attention is given to how names and surnames function in situations such as introducing oneself, reading attendance lists, and how they are perceived and responded to by people in participants’ social environments. The study also considers relationships with family members and issues related to shared values and cultural capital. The work consists of three parts: theoretical (chapters 1–4), methodological (chapter 5), and empirical (chapters 6–10). The theoretical section outlines the symbolic interactionist approach and draws on concepts of stigma and identity. It also includes a review of literature on names and surnames and a historical and legal overview of their use, providing a context for the empirical findings. The methodological section presents the research aims, hypotheses, subject, and key issues, along with the applied methods, techniques, and sampling strategy. It also discusses the researcher’s positionality and ethical considerations. The empirical section analyzes the material in three thematic areas: individual identity (“I”), social interaction (“They”), and collective identity (“We”). The study emphasizes that individual experience often lies at the intersection of these dimensions, which overlap and influence each other. A separate chapter (“Names and Surnames in the Process of Gender Transition”) examines the specific relationship between names, surnames, and gender identity.