AUTOPHOTOGRAPHIC IDENTITIES OF YOUNG-ADULTS - WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ALCOHOL, ATHLETICS, ACHIEVEMENT, RELIGION, AND WORK

This study examined the identities projected in autobiographical photo essays by college students answering the question ''Who are you?'' Fi ve key identities-self-as-drinker, self-as-athlete, self-as-achiever, religious self, and working self-were correlated with parallel self-re port measures and their correlates were studied. Results validated the photo-based identities, particularly self-as-drinker, and suggested t hat such criteria as college grades, orientation to college (Clark-Tro w subcultures), and personality traits can be inferred from photo essa ys. I argue that the autophotographic method affords rich insights as an assessment method and has heuristic value as a point of departure f or therapeutic conversation.