Abstract. First articulated in 2008, the concept of identity shift refers to the process of self-transformation that is the result of intentional self-presentation in a mediated context. As research into identity shift has become increasingly prevalent, our understanding of the concept’s mechanisms and constraints has become more detailed and in depth. We now have a greater understanding of the process and limitations of identity shift: an understanding sufficient to begin articulating a theory of identity shift that explains and predicts the intrapersonal effects of mediated self-presentations. The present work advances such a theory. We begin by summarizing and synthesizing extant identity shift work – including published articles, presented manuscripts, and unpublished research – to better understand the identity shift process. We then use this synthesis to articulate an initial theory (identity shift theory; IST) that specifies the processes, conditions, constraints, and effects of identity shift based on personal, psychological, and communicative characteristics. Ultimately, the advancement of identity shift theory can inform future research and practice into the implications of online self-presentation for self-effects.

中文翻译：

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身份转换理论的解释

摘要。身份转换的概念于 2008 年首次提出，指的是自我转化的过程，它是在中介语境中有意自我呈现的结果。随着对身份转变的研究越来越普遍，我们对这一概念的机制和约束的理解也变得更加详细和深入。我们现在对身份转变的过程和局限性有了更深入的了解：这种理解足以开始阐明一种身份转变理论，该理论解释和预测中介自我展示的个人内在影响。目前的工作推进了这样一个理论。我们首先总结和综合现有的身份转换工作——包括已发表的文章、提交的手稿和未发表的研究——以更好地理解身份转换过程。然后，我们使用这种综合来阐明一个初始理论（身份转换理论；IST），该理论根据个人、心理和交流特征指定身份转换的过程、条件、约束和影响。最终，身份转换理论的进步可以为未来的研究和实践提供信息，以了解在线自我展示对自我影响的影响。