Sociology paper 1- Identity

What is the concept of identity?

Our individual identity is created through the intersectionality of different aspects like our social class, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality.

How do agents of socialisation affect identity?

Agents of socialisation have influence on how we see ourselves and others in relation to factors e.g. some religious groups see same sex marriage and relationships as sinful and this would cause that aspect of identity to be viewed negatively

What is the definition of identity?

Your identity is made up of how you see yourself (personal identity) nd how others see you (social identity) including your ethnicity, nationality, social class, gender, sexuality, age, and disability. Other words for this includes self concept and self identity

What are examples of what makes up your identity?

Identity consists of your gender, age, social class, ethnicity, nationality and sexuality. As well as experienced through socialisation

What do traditional sociologist think about whether our identity is fixed or not?

Traditional sociologists argue that our identity’s are fixed based on social class, gender, or ethnicity we are born into or on the norms and values we learn during socialisation

What do post modernist sociologists think about whether our identity is fixed or not?

They argue that identity is fluid. This means that it will continue to change throughout your life and people can choose to change their identity. Meaning that is no longer as important as it once was

What is the Marxist theory on identity?

A person’s identity is imposed on them and fixed, based on the social class they are born into. It is a product of capitalism

What is the functionalist theory on identity?

A person’s identity is fixed as a result of their socialisation into shared culture with the same norms and vales. In other words a persons identity is shaped by society rather than the individual themselves

What is the feminism belief on identity?

A person’s identity is imposed on them and fixed based on the gender they are born into. It is the product of a patriarchal society

What is the postmodernist belief on identity?

In today’s society with the use of media we can construct our own identity through our choices e.g. music and fashion. Meaning that it changes regularly and we have free will

What do postmodernist say about the reason why identity is no longer fixed?

They argue that our identity’s is no longer fixed and instead we are free to create new identities for ourselves

What did Hall (1996) say about the reasons why identity is no longer fixed?

Believes that people do not possess a single concept of who they are. Instead they build their identity by focusing on an aspect of themselves, like gender ethnicity or religion and try and create maintain or change their identity

What did Bauman(1996) say about the reason why identity is no longer fixed?

Argues that identity is not stable it is a matter of choice that can be changed

What did Goffman (1990) say about the reason why identity is no longer fixed?

Argues that people use impression management to convince others the identities they wish to assert e.g. by speaking differently and having certain choice in consumer goods and clothes

Cultures and identities have become more diverse and hybrid. What else did Nayak say? (2003)

With the rise of multiculturalism and globalisation cultures and identities have become more diverse and hybrid. Shows that identity is no longer easy to define as white youths take on the identity of a different ethnicity and social class

What is the definition of ethnicity?

Ethnicity relates to our culture it consists of our religion location ethnic origin skin colour. These characteristics all affect who we are and how we see ourselves.

What stereotypes do we tend to have and what is it based on?

We tend to identify certain ethnic groups by cultural characteristics such as religion, language, or lifestyle. This can be problematic because it leads to stereotyping. Particularly for second to fourth generation migrants/ mixed race individuals who have a range of cultural characteristics that make up their identity

Is ethnicity an important aspect of identity?

Ethnicity is