Social Identity and Public Health Practice In class

Social Identity and Public Health Practice* - In class assessment exercise *Adapted from Center for Creative Leadership

What is Social Identity? The aspects of your identity that come from belonging to certain groups, including those based on gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, age, education, socioeconomic status, etc.

• Social identity impacts human dynamics among public health professionals and individuals within the neighborhoods and the communities they serve Social Identity (SI) and Public Health Practice • Social identity contributes to the complexity of work within diverse neighborhood and community cultures – Conscious, unconscious – On ourselves, on others • Your role as a public health professional affects, and is affected by your social identity

Social Identity Theory Why Social Identity Mapping? Social identity involves three internal processes*: • Categorization (what is she? ) • Identification (I’m like her!) • Comparison (Red Sox nation is better) Mapping helps us articulate, discuss, and reflect upon these processes.

It’s a funny thing about social identity…. • It’s human nature to want to “fit in” as well as to be unique • Identity has multiple components • Some aspects of identity are visible, others are not Keep in mind… • Some aspects of identity are accepted, some are taboo • Aspects of your social identity may be connected with images of leadership and professional practice of which you are unaware • Aspects of your identity can be gained, lost, or changed over time Um…. Why are we talking about this? Context (say, your office, school, a community in which you’re working…. ) affects which components of identity are most important, helpful, or harmful for being effective….

Given Chosen Social Identity Map Template Core © 2007 Center for Creative Leadership. Hannum, K. M. . Social identity: Knowing yourself, leading others. All rights reserved.

Given White Chosen Catholic Mentor Responsible Creative Social Identity Map - Example Core Educator Introverted Educated Son Brother Boston Friend Partner 63 CCL Male U. S. American © 2007 Center for Creative Leadership. Hannum, K. M. . Social identity: Knowing yourself, leading others. All rights reserved.

Given African American Chosen No Children Sister Social Identity Map - Example Dancer Resourceful Sceptical VA Short MBA Loving & caring Buddhist Music Lover Friend Love of learning 1 st Born OD professional Core Traveller Female 42 Global Citizen Wife Brown Eyes Daughter © 2007 Center for Creative Leadership. Hannum, K. M. . Social identity: Knowing yourself, leading others. All rights reserved.

Your Social Identity Map Given Identity: the attributes or conditions that we had no choice in, from birth or later (including birthplace, age, sex, physical characteristics, certain family roles, possibly religion? ) for example, “male, ” “Brazilian, ” “middle-aged, ” “tall, ” “blind, ” “only child” or “widow”

Your Social Identity Map Chosen Identity: the status or attributes or skills that we choose (including occupation, hobbies, political affiliation, where we live, certain family roles, possibly religion? ) for example, “universityeducated, ” “married, ” “mother, ” “leader”

Your Social Identity Map Core Identity: the attributes that we think make us unique as individuals (including traits, behaviours, beliefs, values, or skills) for example, “funny, ” “an artist, ” “kind, ” or “conservative”

After you complete your map… Think about the ways in which the given, chosen, and core aspects of your social identity serve as assets or barriers in different professional settings. Table Conversation Each person answers the following questions: 1. Which aspects of your social identity do you think will be (or already are) most relevant to your professional development and role(s) right now? 2. What advantages or disadvantages accrue with each aspect, and how do they affect your professional leadership role(s)?