Examining Identity (Re)construction After Departing from a High-Cost Upbringing: A Case Study of Educated by Tara Westover Open Access

Abstract

This thesis explores identity reconstruction and belief negotiation in Tara Westover's memoir Educated, focusing on her departure from a high-cost, survivalist, fundamentalist Mormon upbringing. My methodology combines close reading and thematic analysis of Educated with theoretical research across psychology, sociology, and religion. Alongside Educated, I reference other psychological, sociological, and anthropological studies that have studied various population groups, such as individuals leaving high-control religious groups, abuse survivors, and religious deconverts to strengthen the discussion on how processes like deconversion, rebuilding in the wake of trauma, negotiating long-held beliefs, and identity reconstruction play out across different contexts and share common psychological and sociocultural mechanisms. I rely on key thinkers such as developmental psychologist Robyn Fivush and psychologist Dan McAdams for insights into narrative identity theory. I utilize religious scholars John Barbour and Lori Fazzino to discuss deconversion. For discourse on fundamentalism, I reference philosopher and religious scholar Rik Peels. While existing literature documents the challenges of leaving high-cost groups through clinical studies and interviews, this research fills a gap by examining identity construction through literary narrative. Offering insights into the universal processes of belief negotiation and self-definition, this thesis demonstrates how education, exposure to alternative worldviews, critical reflection, and narrative autonomy enable individuals to depart from high-cost upbringings and reconstruct their identities.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1 

CHAPTER 1 – DOMINANT BELIEFS IN CHILDHOOD .......................................................... 8 

SURVIVALISM ......................................................................................................................... 9 

FUNDAMENTALISM ................................................................................................................ 18 

“WE DO NOT GO TO SCHOOL” ................................................................................................. 25 

CHAPTER 1 CONCLUSIONS...................................................................................................... 29 

CHAPTER 2: SELF-CONCEPT IN ADOLESCENCE ............................................................. 31 

DEFINING SELF-CONCEPT AND IDENTITY CONSTRUCTION .......................................................... 31 

EMERGING SELF-CONCEPT IN ADOLESCENCE ........................................................................... 35 

CHAPTER 2 CONCLUSIONS...................................................................................................... 45 

CHAPTER 3: DECONVERSION ........................................................................................... 47 

EARLY MOMENTS OF DOUBT & DISSENT ................................................................................. 48 

CLINGING TO FAMILIARITY .................................................................................................... 51 

DECONVERSION .................................................................................................................... 54 

CHAPTER 3 CONCLUSIONS...................................................................................................... 71 

CHAPTER 4: IDENTITY RECONSTRUCTION .................................................................... 73 

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 73 

DELIBERATE EXPERIMENTATION & RESCRIPTING THROUGH EDUCATION .................................. 73 

MIRAGE ............................................................................................................................... 77 

DISENCHANTMENT ................................................................................................................ 80 

FIRST RUPTURE .................................................................................................................... 81 

SECOND RUPTURE - FINAL RECONVERSION ATTEMPTS ............................................................. 87 

TARA’S REFUSAL TO DENY SELF-CREATION ............................................................................ 89 

NARRATIVE RESOLUTION....................................................................................................... 91 

CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................... 97 

BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................... 103 

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