In-depth analysis of the psychological mechanisms of social identity in museum heritage and innovation from the perspective of cultural thought

In the context of globalization and digitalization, museums, as material carriers of cultural memory and constructive spaces of social identity, warrant in-depth exploration of the mechanisms through which their heritage preservation and innovation practices influence social identity. Based on the perspective of cultural thought, this study employs mixed research methods and analyzes data from 680 valid questionnaires and 35 in-depth interviews, utilizing statistical techniques such as structural equation modeling and path analysis to systematically investigate the impact of museum heritage preservation and innovation on the psychological mechanisms of social identity. The findings reveal that: museum cultural heritage practices significantly promote the construction of historical identity, national identity, and civic identity through activating collective memory, disseminating heritage conservation concepts, and fulfilling educational functions (R²=0.508-0.587); innovation practices including digital transformation, cross-cultural exhibitions, and community collaboration effectively reconstruct social identity patterns through immersive experiences, pluralistic identity negotiation, and social capital accumulation (β=0.621-0.685); the relationship between traditional-modern balance and identity integration exhibits an inverted U-shape, with moderate balance yielding optimal identity integration effects (R²=0.627); environmental design elements influence identity experiences through mediating pathways such as emotional arousal, immersion, and place attachment, with mediation effects accounting for over 40%; individual difference factors such as cultural capital and visiting motivation significantly moderate the identity formation process (β=0.089-0.198). The study unveils a comprehensive psychological mechanism of "cognitive construction-emotional resonance-experiential internalization," providing theoretical foundations and practical guidance for museum functional transformation and identity construction practices.