Redemptive Self: Stories Americans Live by - Revised and Expanded Edition

by Dan P. McAdams

How do we as Americans define our identities? How do our stories represent who we are-our successes, our failures, our past, our future? Stories of redemption are some of the most powerful ways to express American identity and all that it can entail, from pain and anguish to joy and fulfillment. Psychologist Dan P. McAdams examines how these narratives, in which the hero is delivered from suffering to an enhanced status or state, represent a new psychology of American identity, and in turn, how they translate to understanding our own lives. In this revised and expanded edition of The Redemptive Self, McAdams shows how redemptive stories promote psychological health and civic engagement among contemporary American adults. He reveals how different kinds of redemptive stories compete for favor in American society, as presented in a dramatic case study comparing the life stories constructed by Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. McAdams provides new insight on race and religion in American narratives, offers a creative blend of psychological research and historical analysis, and explains how the redemptive self is a positive psychological resource for living a worthy American life. From the spiritual testimonials of the Puritans and the celebrated autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, to the harrowing stories of escaped slaves and the modern tales in Hollywood movies, we are surrounded by transformative stories that can inform how we make sense of our American identity. But is the redemptive life story always a good thing, and can anyone achieve it? While affirming the significance of redemptive life stories, McAdams also offers a cultural critique. Through no fault of their own, many Americans cannot achieve this revered story of deliverance. Instead, their lives are rife with contaminated plots, vicious cycles of disappointment, and endless pitfalls. Moreover, there may be a negative side to these beloved stories of redemption-they demonstrate a curiously American form of arrogance, self-righteousness, and naivete that all bad things can be transformed. In this revised and expanded edition of the his award-winning book, McAdams encourages us to critically examine our own life stories-the good, the bad, the ups, the downs-in order to inform how we can benefit from them and shape a better future American identity.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Academic

394 pages, ebook

First published November 10, 2005

About the author

Dan P. McAdams is the Henry Wade Rogers Professor of Psychology and Professor of Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy. A leading expert in personality psychology and narrative identity, McAdams explores how people construct life stories to shape their sense of self. He is the author of several influential books, including The Redemptive Self: Stories Americans Live By (2006), which examines themes of redemption in American life narratives, and The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump: A Psychological Reckoning (2020), a psychological analysis of Trump's personality. His research has significantly contributed to understanding personality development, identity, and life storytelling.

Reviews

[Kate Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A useful description to understand American's preferred narrative arc. It should be noted and remembered that this is descriptive (not prescriptive); it's how Americans actually think about themselves and their life as a story, not what we should do. "Redemptive," here, is used in a very American, capitalist way (which works for it as a historically economic term, but if you're a Christian reading it, keep in mind that this is distinct from biblical frameworks redemption). In explaining his team's research, McAdams keeps it interesting; well-storied selections from years of qualitative research that demonstrate the ways Americans construct their identity. Especially helpful, for me, was the portions on "contaminated narratives" in contrast to "redemptive narratives" -- a frame I now listen for in conversations with people, and gives me a way to invite them to choose a more compelling story for their life (this is mostly found in chapter "When Redemption Fails"). The revised edition includes a chapter on culture ("Culture, Narrative, and the Self") that provides helpful nuance and distinction.

I'd like to see (or develop myself, I suppose) a Christian scriptural response. What do biblical redemptive narratives look like? How are they similar and distinct from the types of redemption McAdams encounters? If McAdams describes the types of redemption Americans look for, what types of redemption does scripture narrate to form our imagination for our lives?

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Redemptive Self: Stories Americans Live By won the American Psychological Association's William James Award for best general-interest book published in 2006. It also won the best book for Psychology and Cognitive Science from the Association of American Publishers. Well-deserved.

Redemptive Self is both readable and thought-provoking – and a good book in this genre should be both. McAdams writes about our stories, but also tells good stories – from his own life, from his research participants, about contemporary and historical figures. These engage the reader well and bring McAdams' ideas to life.

One of his last chapters analyzed George W. Bush's and Barrack Obama's very different stories. Both tell redemptive stories – briefly, they initially face danger, but were "chosen," and have done something to overcome this danger and give back to the greater community. Such stories help people live lives characterized by generativity. Both could have easily told contamination stories – bad things happened and things cannot get better. To me, Obama's is a more interesting and compelling story than Bush's (which McAdams has written another book about). Bush's story, though, is much the next chapter of the Prodigal Son, a parable that has clearly stood the test of time.

Think about the stories that Trump and Clinton tell. Trump's are easy to tell, point to a clear enemy, and easily identify how the problem will be resolved – and there is a happy ending, at least for people on the winning team. From my mind he does not clearly tell either a redemption or contamination story, as he doesn't spend much time reflecting on his life, even relative to Bush.

Clinton's stories seem to be a redemption story, although only at the Democratic Convention did she talk about her early life, her mother's early life. Because Americans love redemption stories (we love happy endings after difficult beginnings), we loved this part of her convention speech. Her stories are interesting and nuanced, but that also makes her stories more difficult to understand and recount. Her story-telling style makes it more difficult to pin her down and identify what she stands for. Does she, like Obama or Trump, provide a simple straightforward account of what has caused problems and what can be done to fix them? If she did, she might be a less capable leader, but perhaps more compelling.

Redemptive Self is nuanced in a way that most "popular" psychological books aren't. Instead this is a professional tome that is written and cited for a popular audience. You won't know you are eating your veggies. Redemptive Self should be mandatory reading for anyone writing about people (fiction, nonfiction, screenplays), both to recognize common narrative styles more clearly and to communicate in ways that will engage.

[Josh Liveright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book with themes I found trite and hard to accept as I was reading it but surprisingly it resonates deeply in retrospect. I recommend it for writers, storytellers, actors and anyone who has experienced redemption in their own lives. Perhaps I was still on the righteous path when I read this book back in 2010. Now I'm on the path toward living a humble life. I've learned how to listen. I've put an end to the anger I once felt. I am no longer a victim. I guess I've discovered the true meaning of redemption. This book turned out to be a crucial reference point for some of my the stops on the way toward understanding present awareness.

[Kony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smart summary of social science research that explores human nature from multiple angles, zooming in on individual differences while illuminating societal patterns.

McAdams explores the "redemptive self" narrative that adult American do-gooders use to describe their lives; he also explains the psychological and cultural contexts that enable this narrative to thrive, both shaping and justifying choices. In the most brilliant chapter, he compares and contrasts the redemptive self narratives of Obama and Bush Jr.

It's all well-researched, clearly laid out, and duly nuanced. For American readers, it's potentially a helpful mirror, too!

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific psychological study about a very American way of framing our life stories. Turns out that "highly generative" people in midlife -- those most concerned with giving back or providing for future generations -- most often see their life narratives in terms of redemption (not necessarily a religious word in McAdams' study, but certainly one with rich religious overtones). Many anecdotal stories of real people -- fun to read, and mostly inspiring -- back up McAdams' conclusions.

[Dan Eickmeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not a self help book. It won’t help you figure out your own story. But it might give you insight into how culture and self and stories intersect. And that is a powerful tool our weird Trump induced world.

[papasteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this is the same book by McAdams that I wanted to review, only under another title. The book I have is titled: The Stories We Live By: Personal Myths and the Making Of The Self. This is a great book that talks about how we all live by a story that we create in our mind. We live out our lives according to the themes and events of that story. It might be the loser story, a hero story of some sort, or some other theme. We project the image of our self according to the story we think our lives are being lived by. But what if you can change your story? What if you're tired of the image you keep putting out, and you realize that really isn't you, or the you you want to be? They are great questions. Change your story. It's time.

[Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

loving this book. such good information for any aspiring storyteller. the personal myth can be so powerful...maybe too powerful. still i'm trying to decide if it's of value to decipher one's own story and what it means about their life thus far and future, or if it's wiser to just forget one's history and exclusively live in the moment. nah, that sounds either too selfish or too new-agey...

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

McAdams made me laugh out loud many times, which I wasn't expecting in a psychological treatise. Very interesting evidence that Americans who are active in their communities tend to use similar patterns when telling their life stories. I wonder how much research has been done on how people learn the patterns for the stories they tell.

[Josh Hetherington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing psychology book. It's extremely readable and provides a lot of interesting insights about America's collective psyche. Check it out.