Module 2.2 Identity Vocab

Identity

 The unique combination of characteristics, beliefs, experiences, and roles that defines who a person is

Personal Identity

 How you see yourself as an individual, including your interests, goals, personality, and values

Core Values

The principles that are most important to you and guide your choices, actions, and relationships.

Beliefs

Ideas that you accept as true or meaningful and that help shape how you view the world

Personality

The combination of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that makes a person unique

Physical Identity

The part of identity connected to physical characteristics, abilities, and appearance

Social Identity

The part of identity connected to your relationships, social roles, and membership in different groups

Cultural Identity

Your connection to the traditions, language, customs, values, or history of a cultural group

Ethnicity

A person’s connection to a group that shares cultural, historical, or national characteristics.

Race

A social category often based on physical traits, such as skin color. Racial categories are created by societies rather than being clear biological divisions

Religion

 An organized system of beliefs and practices that may involve faith, worship, traditions, and moral values.

Spirituality

A personal sense of meaning or connection to something larger than yourself. It may or may not involve religion

Tradition

A belief, activity, or custom passed from one generation to another

Custom

A usual way of behaving or doing something within a family, group, or culture.

Role Model

 A person whose behavior, qualities, or accomplishments influence or inspire others.

Identity Formation

The ongoing process of discovering and developing who you are as you grow and gain new experiences.

Expression

 The ways people communicate who they are through words, art, clothing, interests, behavior, or other choices

Belonging

 Feeling accepted, valued, supported, and included within a group or community

Stereotype

An oversimplified or unfair belief about all members of a particular group

Bias

A preference for or against a person, group, or idea that may not be based on facts or fairness.

Respect

Valuing and treating people with dignity, including people whose identities or experiences differ from your own.

Inclusion

 Creating conditions in which people feel welcomed, supported, and able to participate

Diversity

The presence of people with different identities, backgrounds, abilities, experiences, and perspectives.

Sexual Orientation

A term describing whom a person may be emotionally, romantically, or physically attracted to.

Heterosexual or Straight

 Describes someone primarily attracted to people of a different gender

Gay

Describes someone primarily attracted to people of the same gender

Lesbian

Commonly describes a woman who is primarily attracted to women

Bisexual

Describes someone who may be attracted to more than one gender

Pansexual

Describes someone whose attraction may include people of any gender.

Asexual

Describes someone who experiences little or no sexual attraction