3. What is identity?
Welcome to one of the most exciting parts of Sociology! Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, "Who am I?". Is it your name? Your hobbies? The way you dress? In Sociology, identity is about how we see ourselves and how others see us. It’s like a social "ID card" that tells the world where we fit in.
Don't worry if this seems a bit deep at first. We are going to break it down into simple steps so you can master this topic for your OCR exam.
What exactly is the "Concept of Identity"?
Sociologists look at identity in two ways:
1. Personal Identity: This is your sense of self. It’s what makes you feel unique, like your personal values or your DNA.
2. Social Identity: This is how society labels you. Are you a student? A daughter? A Briton? These are roles that come with "rules" (norms) on how to behave.
Quick Review: Identity isn't just something you are born with; it is something that is socially constructed. This means it is built and shaped by the world around you!
Key Takeaway: Identity is the link between you as an individual and the society you live in.
How is Identity Created?
How do we "get" an identity? It doesn't happen by magic. It happens through socialisation. Think of your identity like a sculpture: you are the clay, and the agencies of socialisation are the hands shaping you.
The Influence of Agencies
As we learned in the previous chapter, different groups teach us who we are supposed to be:
- Family: They give us our first sense of "who we are" (e.g., our name, our gender, our ethnicity).
- Peer Groups: Friends help us develop a sense of belonging outside the home.
- Media: Shows us "role models" that we might try to copy.
- Education: Schools give us a "student" identity and teach us where we fit in the social hierarchy.
Analogy: Think of identity like a sponge. From the moment you are born, you start "soaking up" the culture, language, and expectations of the people around you until they become part of who you are.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't think of identity as fixed forever. Sociologists believe identity can change as you move through different stages of life or join new groups!
The "Big 7": Aspects of Identity
The OCR syllabus asks you to understand seven specific aspects of identity. Each one has its own cultural characteristics (the "stuff" that makes that identity recognizable).
1. Ethnicity
This is about your cultural heritage. It includes shared language, religion, history, and traditions.
Example: Someone might identify as "British-Indian" because they celebrate Diwali but also love a Sunday roast.
2. Nationality
This is often linked to the country you belong to (your citizenship). It involves a sense of "belonging" to a nation, often shown through symbols like flags, anthems, or supporting a national sports team.
3. Gender
In Sociology, gender is different from biological sex. Gender identity is about whether you feel "masculine" or "feminine" based on what society expects.
Did you know? We learn our gender identity through canalisation—being pushed toward certain toys or clothes (like "dolls for girls" and "action figures for boys").
4. Social Class
This is based on your economic position and job. It affects your habitus (your tastes, the way you speak, and your lifestyle).
Example: Someone from a "working-class" background might feel a strong sense of community and pride in manual labor.
5. Sexuality
This relates to who you are attracted to. In the past, this was often hidden, but today, sexuality is a much more prominent part of many people's public identity.
6. Age
Your "stage" in life shapes how you see yourself. A "teenager" has a very different identity than an "elderly person." Society has different norms for each age group.
Memory Aid: Think of the "Life Course"—we play different roles as we age.
7. Disability
This can be a master status—a label that "overrides" all other parts of your identity in the eyes of others. Sociologists often look at the Social Model of Disability, which says society "disables" people by not being inclusive (e.g., lack of ramps), rather than just focusing on the medical condition.
Key Takeaway: These seven aspects don't exist in isolation; they all mix together to make you you!
Intersectionality and Hybrid Identities
What is Intersectionality?
This sounds like a big word, but it’s actually quite simple! Intersectionality is the idea that our identities "overlap."
You aren't just "a woman" or "working class"—you might be a working-class woman of color. Your experience of the world is shaped by how these different parts of your identity "intersect" or meet.
Analogy: Think of a traffic intersection where multiple roads meet. The point where they cross is where the most "action" (or sometimes conflict) happens. That’s intersectionality!
What are Hybrid Identities?
In our globalised world, identities are mixing more than ever. A hybrid identity is like a "mixture" of two or more cultures.
Example: "Brasians" is a term used to describe people who have a hybrid British and Asian identity. They might speak English at school and Punjabi at home, picking the best parts of both cultures.
Changing Identities
Identity is more fluid today. In the past, if you were born working-class in a coal-mining town, you’d likely stay that way forever. Today, because of the internet and more social freedom, people can "choose" or change their identities more easily. This is often called a Postmodern view of identity.
Quick Review Box
- Identity: How we see ourselves + how others see us.
- Socially Constructed: Identity is built through socialisation, not just biology.
- Intersectionality: The way different parts of identity (like class and gender) overlap.
- Hybridity: A "pick and mix" of different cultural identities.
- Master Status: An identity (like disability) that becomes the main way people see you.
Don't forget: When you write about identity in your exam, try to use examples! Mentioning things like "British-Asian hybridity" or "gender socialisation through toys" will show the examiner you really understand how these concepts work in the real world.