Identity: A Conceptual Understanding

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Recommended: Experiences that shape identity

A human being’s perception of ‘self’ contains many characteristics pertaining to who they are. This as a concept is distinctive to identity. Identity can be defined as “the characteristics determining who or what a person or thing is” . Despite this universal definition, identity cannot be explained as one particular word or definition, it is an idea with a range of aspects; including one’s DNA/Gender, upbringing, your cultural context and national identity. These aspects are in conjunction with influences such as the media. Muhammad Ali, a famous American boxer, is someone whose identity differs completely from my own, having grown up with a different set of beliefs, talents and values as well as a different personality.

One particular concept that is discussed in terms of identity is gender identity. How gender affects one’s character and presentation is an important factor while determining your selfhood. Although gender is seen as a significant element of our individuality, the difference between male and female individuals is not truly seen until puberty and adolescence, where not only do increasing changes within the body begin to separate how we look on the outside, but our personality and how society treat us begins to change. Although the past century has changed in terms of gender equality, there is still a significant difference between males and females and this is directly related to our personality, as it affects ones opportunities and therefore experiences. As experiences help to shape our identity, gender therefore has a large influence on defining our own self.

Your DNA also assists in creating your identity, as it is what determines whether or not you are to grow up with an illness. For example, if a child gro...

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...ind on how to act and form one’s personality.

Our identity is constantly changing as we move through our life. Your beliefs and values as a small child normally completely differ from your beliefs and values as an elder. Having grown up in an Australian democratic society, my identity is very distinguishable from Muhammad Ali’s, as he grew up as a male in the 20th century in the USA, following a career in Boxing. Having a different religion also amplified these dissimilarities. It is through the experiences in our life, our social environments and other aspects that we are able to constantly shape and change our identity, so that it completely differs from another personality.

Works Cited

Oxford Dictionary - Identity
Media Use in Identity Construction – Katherine Hamley
Media’s Influence on Social Norms and Identity Development of Youth – Sabrina Lea Worsham

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