Ch 2: Communicating Identities

identity

who a person is; composed of individual and social categories a person identifies with as well as the categories that others identify with that person

symbolic interactionism

a theory that describes how we develop meaning and identities through our communication with others.

reflected appraisals

the idea that people’s self-images arise primarily from the ways that others view them and from the many messages they have received from others about who they are

looking-glass self

the idea that self-image results from the images others reflect back to an individual

particular others

the important people in an individual’s life whose opinions and behavior influence the various aspects of identity

generalized other

the collection of roles, rules, norms, beliefs, and attitudes endorsed by the community in which a person lives.

reference groups

others whom we compare ourselves to make judgments about out identities

self-fulfilling prophecy

when an individual expects something to occur the expectation increases the likelihood that it will, as the expectation influences behavior

stereotype threat

process in which reminding individuals of stereotypical expectations regarding important identities can impact their performance

self-concept

the understanding of one’s unique characteristics as well as the similarities to and differences from others

self-esteem

part of one’s self-concept; arises out of how one perceives and interprets reflected appraisals and social comparisons.

self-respect

treating others and expecting to be treated with respect and dignity

performance of identity

the process or means by which we show the world who we think we are

self-presentation

influencing others’ impressions by creating an image that is consistent with one’s personal identity

enact identities

performing scripts deemed proper for particular identities

role expectations

the expectations that one will perform in a particular way because of the social role occupied

mutable

subject to change

racial identity

identification with a particular racial group

multiracial identity

one who self-identifies as having more than one racial identity

national identity

a person’s citizenship

ethnic identity

identification with a particular group with which one shares some or all of these characteristics: national or tribal affiliation, religious beliefs, language, and/or cultural and traditional origins and background

gender identity

how and to what extent one identifies with the social construction of masculinity and femininity

cisgender

someone whose gender identity matches their biological sex

transgender

someone whose gender identity does not match their biological sex

sexual identity

which of the various categories of sexuality one identifies with

age identity

a combination of self-perception of age along with what others understand that age to mean

social class identity

an informal ranking of people in a culture based on their income, occupation, education, dwelling, child-rearing habits, and other factors

disability identity

identification with physical or mental impairment that substantially impact everyday life

religious identity

aspect of identity defined by one’s spiritual beliefs

intersectionality

how different identities combine to shape our communication experiences