Influence in Shaping Identity

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There are two levels of analysis used in sociology, macrosociology which explores the social structures of society and microsociology which investigates social interactions and how people behave towards each other (Henslin, Possamai & Possamai-Inesedy 2011). Whilst social interaction is important in shaping identity and shouldn’t be ignored, this paper will argue that, due to its ability to embed behaviours and beliefs that directly drive our social interactions, social structures are more influential in determining the identity of the individual. This paper will discuss how social structures of culture, class and institutions are expressed and how these factors are more influential in shaping identity. Culture, as an expression of social structure refers to a set of learned characteristics (language, values, beliefs, norms, customs, skills, knowledge, material objects) that make up the way of life in any given society (Browne 2008). These characteristics are learned from one generation to the next through a process known as socialisation (Henslin, Possamai & Possamai-Indesedy 2011). The way a person is raised impacts identity instantly, as newborns are exposed to society’s expectations, learning culture and subsequently forming identity. Suizzo, et al. (2008) suggests that different cultures have varying ideas about what it means to parent a child. When I think about my identity as a parent and use my sociological imagination to analyse my parenting style; I immediately relate to what is referred to by many academics as the independent model. Typically a western influenced cultural method its focus is on encouraging self-sufficiency and independence (Markus & Kitayama 1991). Everyday social interactions I have with m... ... middle of paper ... ...df/10.1080/14427591.2002.9686489> Markus, H.R, Kitayama, S 1991, ‘Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion and motivation’, Psychological Review, Volume 98, viewed 25 November 2013, . Snyder, M, Swann, W.B Jr 1977, ‘Behavioural confirmation in Social Interaction: From Social Perception to Social Reality’ Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Volume 14, viewed 27 November 2013, Suizzo, M, Pahlke, E, Yarnell, L, Chen, K, Romero, S 2012, ‘Parents’ Goals and Values for Children’, Journal of Family Issues, Volume 35, viewed 26 November 2013,

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