When and why people conceal their identities

Le Forestier, J.M., Lewis, N.A.

Nat Rev Psychol 3, 489–498 (2024).

https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-024-00324-x

Abstract

Many people conceal identities as a strategy for managing the impressions others have of them. They do so because they believe that managing those impressions can be consequential for their ability to pursue their goals. However, the scope of when people engage in identity concealment, and the process by which that concealment unfolds, are unclear. In this Perspective, we review the literature on identity concealment and synthesize it into a model of concealment that specifies the conditions under which people conceal identities. This model advances theory by explicitly modelling the role of concealability (including differences in concealability attributable to identities, individuals, contexts and interactions between them), accounting for multiple motives for concealment that are related to different levels of the ecological systems in which people are embedded (including goals beyond stigma management), and specifying the social-cognitive process by which these abilities and goals result in concealment.

A pdf is here.

Here are some thoughts:

Many individuals strategically conceal aspects of their identity to navigate social interactions and achieve goals. The dynamic identity concealment model proposes that people carefully consider when and how to reveal or hide personal information based on various factors, including social context, personal motivations, and perceived risks. This framework challenges traditional views of identity as fixed and observable, highlighting the complex interplay between individuals and their environments. By expanding the scope of identity concealment research beyond marginalized groups, we can gain valuable insights into self-presentation and interpersonal dynamics.

Research on identity concealment provides invaluable insights for clinical psychologists. By understanding the motivations and strategies people employ to hide aspects of themselves, clinicians can better comprehend client behavior, identify underlying psychological issues, and build stronger therapeutic relationships. This knowledge also informs assessment, diagnosis, and the development of effective interventions. Furthermore, by recognizing the influence of social and cultural factors on identity concealment, clinicians can better serve clients from diverse backgrounds. Ultimately, this research enhances psychologists' ability to support clients in their journey towards well-being.

Concealment of nonreligious identity: Exploring social identity threat among atheists and other nonreligious individuals

Mackey, C. D., Silver, and others
(2020). Group Processes & Intergroup Relations.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430220905661

Abstract

Negative attitudes toward the nonreligious persist in America. This may compel some nonreligious individuals to conceal their identity to manage feelings of social identity threat. In one correlational study and one experiment, we found evidence of social identity threat and concealment behavior among nonreligious Americans. Our first study showed that Southern nonreligious individuals reported higher levels of stigma consciousness and self-reported concealment of nonreligious identity, which in turn predicted lower likelihood of self-identifying as “atheist” in public settings than in private settings. Our second study successfully manipulated feelings of social identity threat by showing that atheists who read an article about negative stereotypes of their group subsequently exhibited higher concealment scores than did atheists who read one of two control articles. Implications for how nonreligious individuals negotiate social identity threat and future directions for nonreligion research are discussed.