Identity is the qualities beliefs personality looks andor

Identity is the qualities, beliefs, personality, looks and/or expressions that make a person (self-identity as emphasized in psychology) or group (collective identity as pre-eminent in sociology). . A psychological identity relates to self-image (one's mental model of oneself), self-esteem, and individuality.

Continue… �Identity basically refers to how a person answers the question “Who am I? ” �The process of finding our true self results in finding what psychologists have called our identity. �Identity can be defined as an individual's combination of behaviors, preferences, thoughts, talents, and beliefs. All people have lots of different identities over their lifespan.

Importance of Identity �Identity formation is about developing a strong sense of self, personality, connection to others and individuality. . Erikson believes identity development is a key process and that a failure to establish identity leads to role confusion and a weak sense of self later in life

Four stages of Identity development �Identity diffusion �Identity foreclosure �Moratorium �Identity achievement

Identity diffusion �The first identity status, identity diffusion, describes youth who have neither explored nor committed to any particular identity. Thus, this identity status represents a low level of exploration and a low level of commitment. These adolescents haven't considered their identity at all, and haven't established any life goals.

Identity foreclosure �The second identity status is the identity foreclosure status. This identity status represents a low degree of exploration but a high degree of commitment. At this identity status adolescents are not actively trying to determine what is important to them. �They are not questioning the values and beliefs they have been taught. Instead, these youth obtain their identity simply by accepting the beliefs and values of their family, community, and culture.

Moratorium �The third identity status is called moratorium. This identity status represents high degree of exploration but a low degree of commitment. At this status, youth are in the midst of an identity "crisis" which has prompted them to explore and experiment with different values, beliefs, and goals. � However, they have not made any final decisions about which beliefs and values are most important to them, and which principles should guide their lives. �Thus, they are not yet committed to a particular identity. They are keeping their options open.

Identity achievement �The final identity status is identity achievement. This identity status represents both a high degree of exploration and a high degree of commitment. Youth are said to have achieved their identity by a process of active exploration and strong commitment to a particular set of values, beliefs, and life goals that has emerged from this active exploration and examination. At this identity status youth will have decided what values and goals are most important to them, and what purpose, or mission will direct their life.

Culture �Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, social habits, music and arts. �Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things, "

Types of Culture �Material culture refers to the physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture. These include homes, neighborhoods, cities, schools, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, offices, factories and plants, tools, means of production, goods and products, stores, and so forth. �Non‐material culturerefers to the nonphysical ideas that people have about their culture, including beliefs, values, rules, norms, morals, language, organizations, and institutions. For instance, the non‐material cultural conceptreligion of consists of a set of ideas and beliefs about God, worship, morals, and ethics.

Aspects of Culture �A symbol is anything that is used to stand for something else. People who share a culture often attach a specific meaning to an object, gesture, sound, or image. For example, a cross is a significant symbol to Christians. �Language is a system of words and symbols used to communicate with other people. This includes full languages as we usually think of them, such as English, Spanish, French, etc. But, it also includes body language, slang, and common phrases that are unique to certain groups of people.

Continue… �Values which are culturally defined standard for what is good are desirable. . � As such, values reflect a person's sense of right and wrong or what "ought" to be. �Social norms are regarded as collective representations of acceptable group conduct as well as individual perceptions of particular group conduct.

Continue… �Sociologists speak of at least three types of norms: folkways, mores, taboos. �Folkways are norms that stem from and organize casual interactions and emerge out of repetition and routines. Folkways are weak norms. �Mores are strong norms and determine what is considered morally acceptable or unacceptable within any given culture.

Continue… � Taboos are social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing. � Breaking a taboo is extremely objectionable in society as a whole. Around the world, an act may be taboo in one culture and not in another.