Chapter 5 Self and Identity

Understanding Personal Identity This chapter focuses on how identity is connected to:  Language  Other people  Societal norms, rules, and categories  Narratives of origin and belonging

Identity and Self-Concept Self-concept is a personal and private ‘core’ we can share and understand through communication. Personality is often the starting point to describe someone’s identity. Identity is often complex.

The Johari Window

Identity and Self-Disclosure  Self-disclosure is revealing private information relevant to your identity.  Self-disclosure might or might not enhance relationships depending on our context and beliefs.  Self-disclosure is dynamic.

Identity and Self-Disclosure  Push-pull dialectic of self- disclosure  Self-disclosure in relationships requires negotiating boundaries of privacy  So in a sense…your self- disclosure is co-owned!

Identity and Other People  Society at large influences our views on identity.  Other people influence your identity as well as how you express it.  This happens both directly and indirectly.  We refer to social ‘labels’ to help others understand us.

The Concept of ‘Symbolic’ Identity  Identity comes from what we do as well as what we say; therefore, identity is symbolic.  Our identity relies on a ‘bank’ of shared meaning, experiences, and interactions.  Mead’s idea of ‘attitude of reflection’; symbolic interactionism

The Concept of ‘Transacted’ Identity We transact, or make up, our identity with two principles in mind: 1.We are influenced by our society’s beliefs and norms 2.Society holds us accountable for our identity (through others’ responses)

‘Performing’ Your Identity  We present our self to save face/gain positive face  Poor performance (not meeting expectations, not being accountable) results in embarrassment  We allow deviations depending on relationships

Forms of the Self