What is identity
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Understanding Identity: A Multifaceted Concept
The Paradox of Identity: Philosophical Perspectives
Identity has been a subject of philosophical inquiry from Plato to Wittgenstein, who argued that identity is not a relation but a fundamental aspect of being. Philosophers have explored various dimensions of identity, including the need for a sign of identity, the concept of sameness and self, and the relationship between identity and truth1.
Self-Identity and Personal Identity: Psychological Continuity
Self-identity is rooted in the transcendental structures that enable a continuous and unified experiential life. It is based on the formal, temporalizing structure of intentional experience, which underlies psychological continuity. Personal identity, on the other hand, is shaped by the content of one's experiences, including beliefs, character traits, and social inheritances. It is also influenced by how others perceive and characterize an individual within the context of social conventions and cultural constructs2.
Social Identity: Membership and Personal Meaning
In social and personality psychology, identity is often understood as the social categories to which an individual belongs and the personal meaning associated with those categories. Key issues in this area include the structure and interrelationships among multiple identities, the functions that identities serve, the importance of context in identity development, and the need for longitudinal studies to understand identity change over time3.
Sociocultural Linguistic Approach: Identity in Interaction
Identity is produced through linguistic and other semiotic practices, making it a social and cultural phenomenon. It encompasses macro-level demographic categories, temporary stances, and local cultural positions. Identities are constructed relationally through interactions, involving aspects such as similarity/difference and authority/delegitimacy. This construction is partly intentional, habitual, and influenced by larger ideological processes4.
Identity Theory: Social Structures and Self-Verification
Two main strands of identity theory focus on the relationship between social structures and identities, and the internal process of self-verification. Social structures influence the process of self-verification, while self-verification helps create and sustain social structures. This interplay provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between self and society5.
Identity in Politics: Subjective and Objective Aspects
In the realm of identity politics, identity is often discussed in terms of subjective and objective aspects. Subjective identity is how individuals conceive themselves, while objective identity is how they are viewed based on biological or social facts. These aspects are closely related and play a significant role in political contexts6.
The Fluidity of Identity: Negotiation and Change
Identity is not immutable; it involves continuous negotiation and renegotiation in everyday life. On a collective level, identities are seen as fuzzy sets rather than clearly defined groups. The preoccupation with identity continues to grow, affecting various spheres of life7.
Multiple Social Identities: Gender, Racial, Ethnic, Sexual, and Class
Identity encompasses multiple social dimensions, including gender, racial, ethnic, sexual, and class identities. These identities are fluid, multidimensional, and personalized social constructions that reflect an individual's current context and sociohistorical background. Research in this area should consider the complexity of multiple social identities and employ innovative methodologies to capture their development and change8.
Personal Identity as Social Identity
Personal identity is inherently social, involving the question of which groups and social roles an individual identifies with. This identification can lead to social and intrapersonal conflicts, reflecting the popular notions of "identity crisis" and "identity politics"9.
Digital Identity: Online Representation and Anonymity
In the digital age, identity is divided into digital identity (information related to a single entity) and online identity (self-representation in digital spaces). Online identity is expressed in anonymized environments and is influenced by social, philosophical, legal, and technological factors. The negotiation of digital identity is crucial for creating safe and identity-rich online environments10.
Conclusion
Identity is a complex and multifaceted construct that spans philosophical, psychological, social, and digital dimensions. It involves continuous negotiation and is influenced by both internal processes and external social structures. Understanding identity requires a multidisciplinary approach that considers its fluidity, relational construction, and the interplay between personal and social factors.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
WHAT IS IDENTITY?
The paradox of identity: Plato to Russell Wittgenstein: Identity not a relation The need for a sign of identity Same and self An Eirenic interlude Identity and indiscernibility Arithmetical equations The identity of events Personal identity Being, identity and truth
Self-identity and personal identity
Personal identity is rooted in beliefs, traits, sentiments, and moods, while self-identity is rooted in the transcendental structures of intentional experience.
Reconstructing Social Identity
Social identity consists of multiple social categories and personal meanings, with context playing a crucial role in their development and enactment.
Highly CitedIdentity and interaction: a sociocultural linguistic approach
Identity is a social and cultural phenomenon, encompassing macro-level demographic categories, temporary stances, and local cultural positions, and is influenced by linguistic practices, relationships between self and other, and larger ideological processes.
Highly CitedThe Past, Present, and Future of an Identity Theory*
Identity theory focuses on the link between social structures and identities, and the internal process of self-verification, both of which influence and contribute to the development of social structures.
Highly CitedNotes toward the definition of ‘identity’
This paper aims to clarify the concept of identity in identity politics by distinguishing between subjective and objective aspects, and focusing on the relationship between these two aspects in political contexts.
Conclusion: The Identity of Identity
Identity is a fluid concept, negotiated and renegotiated on an individual and collective level, with no sign of its wave flattening.
Gender, racial, ethnic, sexual, and class identities.
People's identities are fluid, multidimensional, personalized social constructions influenced by context and sociohistorical cohort, but more research is needed to understand their development, maintenance, and change.
Highly CitedPersonal identity is social identity
Personal identity is a complex, open question influenced by narrative, temporality, and social factors, resulting in social conflicts and intrapersonal conflicts.
Identity and Agency
Online identity in digital environments plays a crucial role in shaping the technologically mediated world, with social science, philosophy, law, and computer science collaborating to create identity-rich and safe digital media.
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