To: Rebecca Agosta From: Marisa McLaughlin Date: 12 February 2014 Subject of Inquiry: My sister, Kayla Initial Inquiry

Subject: My sister has a commitment to many different activities and duties in her life. In this inquiry I would like to see how her commitment to those activates impacts her identity. I would like to see if each activity has its own identity on its own, as well as seeing how/ if each of those identities, or traits, affect her over all identity that I see every day. As far as I know, she is probably a completely different person with those who are not family than she is with everybody that is family. I am also curious as to if being the younger sister impacts her identities, and how she perceives herself. What I do know, is that my sister is fifteen and very closed off to the family, I am the one she talks to the most within the confines of the family and even then she doesnt tell me much. This is also mainly the reason I am interested in observing Kayla because I would like to know more about the person that she has become, since she has become so closed off and we do not really talk anymore. There are also some feelings I know she has, such as, believing that I am the favorite, and that she feels like she has to prove herself because of this. Which also raises the question of is this her driving force behind why she does so many things? She feels like she has to prove herself? If that is true, I hope to find out how that ambition shapes her and her life as Kayla. I want to see if she has identified herself as volleyballer, little sister, blackbelt, teacher, student, volunteer, child of God, etc., and if so which one she believes to be the true her, or closest to the true her. I chose my sister because I feel like Ive lost touch with her and I want to find out more about her and the person she is, and has become. How she identifies herself, may also significantly impact how I identify myself as well as how I will identify her at the end of this, in a way other than the little sister identity. Methods: With this project I will observe, ask questions, collect data, and build from there. To start this project I will start with things I know I can do such as go to all her volleyball practices and games, and pay closer attention to her while at karate. Those two alone cover about five or so known identities, and there may be more there that I have never observed. Then I could also find more volunteer opportunities for us at church that she would be up for, that would actually benefit us both. I can also observe her Facebook, twitter, snap chat, and Instagram more closely and pay attention to what comments people make on certain types of pictures and statements she has posted. If she allows me, which she might, I would love to give her a journal to write any thoughts she has at the end of each day and see how I can connect them to her perspective of her identity and add them to my observations I have collected. If I really want to support my inquiry though Im going to want to ask her friends at her activities about what they would say about her identity and then ask her questions about her identity, and compare. Ive already asked my sister if she would be willing to be the subject of my inquiry and she agreed, hopefully she doesnt change her mind, and as long as she doesnt, I believe this inquiry will go quite smoothly.

Comment [t1]: Isshewillingtohaveyoustudy her?

Comment [t2]: Interestingdoesshefeelmore athomeintheseactivities?

Comment [t3]: Iwonderifthetrueherismore ofamesh...hmmImwonderingifwecanthink aboutwhataspectsofhergetrecognizedinall placesoverlapseachcommunity/activity? Comment [t4]: InterestingIthinkitwillbe goodforyoutoconsider,asyoudothisstudy,how theidentityofsisterandlittlesisteraffectwhatyou see/noticeandhowsheacts.

Comment [t5]: Goodidea Comment [t6]: Goodansweredmyquestion above.Allofthesedifferentactivitiesaredifferent affinitygroups,soGeewillbeagoodsourceforyou.

Questions: 1. What is her favorite place to go when she feels a certain way (sad, mad, frustrated, happy, etc.)? 2. Does she have a healthy image of herself? 3. Do others have positive identities for her? 4. Does she have an identity that is her favorite, or that she believes to be closest to her true self? 5. Does she have a generic identity that everybody has for her no matter what their relation is to her? 6. How does her identity/identities affect her school work and commitment to her activities? 7. Does she have low self-esteem, or just the opposite? 8. If she was more opened, would she have different identities? 9. Have her identities changed over time? 10. Will her identity be clearer to her and others after this inquiry?
Comment [t7]: Someofthesequestionsgoin differentdirectionsthattheearlierexplanation. Someworkhereoncohesivenessisneeded.Ipicked uponthefamilialidentityalotinyouropener,so maybesomequestionsaboutheridentitywithin familyisimportant. Ithinktherealsoneedstobesome consideration/questioningofhowyoutwosvalues maybedifferent.Perhapsfamilytoyoumeansone thingbuttohermeansanother? Mygeneralimpressionisthatyouhaveagood directionwiththispiece.Idliketoseestronger inquiryquestionsthatreflectsomeofthetopicsyou broughtupinthebeginning.Thequestionsstart branchingoutintonewthings:schoolwork,self esteem,etc. SomequestionsIhave: Doanyoftheaffinitygroupsoverlapin people/philosophies/values?Whatdoesthisshow aboutwhatKaylaisdrawntoand/orseenas? Dotheactivitiesaskhertotakeondifferentroles? (leader,follower,etc)Doesthisshapeheraffiliation withthegroupandhowmuchsheseesitaspartof heridentity?