Sociology
Textbooks
Boundless Sociology
Socialization
Childhood Socialization
Sociology Textbooks Boundless Sociology Socialization Childhood Socialization
Sociology Textbooks Boundless Sociology Socialization
Sociology Textbooks Boundless Sociology
Sociology Textbooks
Sociology
Concept Version 13
Created by Boundless

Identity Formation

Identity formation is the development of an individual's distinct personality by which he or she is recognized or known.

Learning Objective

  • Discuss the formation of a person's identity, as well as the ideas of self-concept and self-consciousness


Key Points

    • Cultural identity is the feeling of identity with a group or culture, or of an individual as far as he or she is influenced by his or her belonging to a group or culture.
    • An ethnic identity is an identification with a certain ethnicity, usually on the basis of a presumed common genealogy or ancestry.
    • National identity is an ethical and philosophical concept whereby all humans are divided into groups called nations.
    • A religious identity is the set of beliefs and practices generally held by an individual, involving adherence to codified beliefs and rituals and study of ancestral or cultural traditions.
    • Self-concept is the sum of a being's knowledge and understanding of his or her self.
    • Cultural identity is the feeling of identity of a group or culture, or of an individual as far as he or she is influenced by his or her belonging to a group or culture.
    • An ethnic identity is the identification with a certain ethnicity, usually on the basis of a presumed common genealogy or ancestry.
    • National identity is an ethical and philosophical concept whereby all humans are divided into groups called nations.
    • A religious identity is the set of beliefs and practices generally held by an individual, involving adherence to codified beliefs and rituals and study of ancestral or cultural traditions

Terms

  • religious identity

    The set of beliefs and practices generally held by an individual,involving adherence to codified beliefs and rituals and study of ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as faith and mystic experience.

  • cultural identity

    One's feeling of identity affiliation to a group or culture.

  • national identity

    An ethical and philosophical concept whereby all humans are divided into groups called nations.


Example

    • An example of national identity is the way in which Americans are united on the Fourth of July. In celebrating national independence, one feels a connection to all other Americans. Indeed, the holiday would make little sense if one did not possess a sense of national identity. An example of religious identity would be if someone identifies as belonging to a particular religious faith.

Full Text

Identity formation is the development of an individual's distinct personality, which is regarded as a persisting entity in a particular stage of life by which a person is recognized or known. This process defines individuals to others and themselves. Pieces of the individual's actual identity include a sense of continuity, a sense of uniqueness from others, and a sense of affiliation. Identity formation clearly influences personal identity by which the individual thinks of him or herself as a discrete and separate entity. This may be through individuation whereby the undifferentiated individual tends to become unique, or undergoes stages through which differentiated facets of a person's life tend toward becoming a more indivisible whole.

Individuals gain a social identity and group identity by their affiliations. Self-concept is the sum of a being's knowledge and understanding of himself. Self-concept is different from self-consciousness, which is an awareness of one's self. Components of self-concept include physical, psychological, and social attributes, which can be influenced by the individual's attitudes, habits, beliefs, and ideas. Cultural identity is one's feeling of identity affiliation to a group or culture.

Similarly, an ethnic identity is the identification with a certain ethnicity, usually on the basis of a presumed common genealogy or ancestry. Further, national identity is an ethical and philosophical concept whereby all humans are divided into groups called nations. Members of a nation share a common identity and usually a common origin in their sense of ancestry, parentage, or descent. Lastly, a religious identity is the set of beliefs and practices generally held by an individual, involving adherence to codified beliefs and rituals and study of ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as faith and mystic experience.

National Identity

Fourth of July celebrations, during which Americans dress in red, white, and blue, are manifestations of national identity. Fourth of July is only meaningful as a celebration of independence for individuals who share a sense of national identity as Americans.

[ edit ]
Edit this content
Prev Concept
Theoretical Perspectives on Childhood Socialization
Understanding Social Interaction
Next Concept
Subjects
  • Accounting
  • Algebra
  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Business
  • Calculus
  • Chemistry
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Microbiology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • U.S. History
  • World History
  • Writing

Except where noted, content and user contributions on this site are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 with attribution required.