Social Identity - Essay Example

The most important feature that characterizes human being is their specific identity within a societal framework. Although primary social identity ofa man is gender specific and is followed by a distinct name by which he is known in the world, man is often bestowed with multiple social identity some of which may acquire more forceful and intimidating perspective under certain given circumstances. The social identity provides man with a distinct attribute and facilitates establishment of social status that physically represents him. Therefore social identity of a man is not only vital representation of his self but it is also medium that significantly contributes to a knowledge base that others can instantly access to have a general idea of their orientation towards conflicts and other relevant issues. Hence the meaning and implications of claiming one’s identity can be broadly divided into 3 major categories which provide a wide scope of in-depth information and analysis. 1. General framework and broader implications Construction of social identities is often influenced by hordes of issues, which are defined by individual ideology, group representation, professional competencies, intercultural compulsions etc. which facilitate better understanding and access to networking with organizations and groups in order to avail the emerging opportunities for their personal and professional growth. A person identified as student, as American or as an artisan etc. can proclaim certain privileges that are associated with that particular identity. The reverse is equally applicable when the associated identified parameter has non credible attributes. Of the various social identities that a man carries with him, some are easily accommodated by society and others may be found to carry certain reservations which are not easily acceptable. 1(a) Race and ethnicity In the age of rapid globalization, the societies that were hitherto characterized by singular feature, have transformed into multicultural societies that have multifaceted attributes that define them as a whole. The changing paradigm of social equations, pose more challenges to the people which need to be addressed at the earliest for peaceful existence. The race and ethnicity have a huge impact on the personal choice and individual behavioral pattern which can be easily observed in the pluralistic identity that one exhibits in a society. Hence, his identity as a student would have substantial influence of his race and ethnicity. People are prone to identify with some basic group identities that not only provide them with unique characteristics but it also helps them to have social and emotional backing when conflicts arise. The wider repercussions and challenges of racial and ethnic identities have assumed more vital role in the present time of globalization when the societies are reflecting fragmented socio political values based on racial and cultural differences. 1(b) Gender, class and religion The above identity frames, though intrinsically woven in the personality of a person, represent core values and beliefs which through the ages, have become contentious and often provoke unsolicited responses that may create conflicting environment. The gender biases have catapulted into major controversial issues and the religious sanctions, some approved and some disproved, have invited more vociferous debate on them. Transsexual, gays, lesbians etc. have yet to gain public acceptance despite getting legal recognition of their identity as such. Certain religions are renowned for their fanatic and dogmatic approach to whole lot of issues like gender, dress code, religiosity etc. which have earned negative publicity and people espousing them often undergo tremendous animosity from different quarters. Class is another identity within the social framework that differentiates people on the basis of economic parameters and hence is often accused of creating social imbalances that deprive the majority of people from their right to basic human dignity that promotes universal belief in equality and right to live with dignity. Then again, the ideologies of larger political identities have different interpretations to the class based social identities. 2. Social identity theories and psychological approach The social identity frameworks signify core values and beliefs and provide people with unique and an inherent sense of responses towards conflicts and paradoxical situations. Social identity has been an ongoing process that is continuously transforming in order to serve dual purpose of maintaining and strengthening uniqueness of their identity with values and beliefs that have withstood the test of the time. At the same time, they have discarded some which have outgrown their utility in the changing times. The social scientists have propagated theories of processes that promote the concept of social identity in a given parameter of social norms. According to Hogg and Vaughan, social identity is the conceptualization of self by an individual depending on the values and beliefs of the group to which he belongs (2002). Turner, another sociologist says that a person’s identity of ‘self’ may encompass multiple identities which have different ‘levels of self’ when his feelings, thoughts and actions are influenced by different social contexts vis-à-vis personal, family or national (1987). Turner and Tajfel (1986) illustrated that when individuals categorize themselves as group members, they exhibit characteristics of in-group favoritism. The most pertinent inference of this theory is that people’s sense of their worth or who they are is derived from the positive distinctness of ‘we’ rather than ‘I’. Hogg and Abrams say that ‘social categories in which individuals place themselves are parts of a structured society and exist only in relation to other contrasting categories (for example, black vs. white); each has more or less power, prestige, status, and so on’(1988). ‘The core of an identity is, the categorization of the self as an occupant of a role, and the incorporation into the self, of the meanings and expectations associated with that role and its performance’ (Burke and Tully 1977; Thoits 1986). According to Burke and others, these expectations and meanings, form a set of standards, that guides their behavior’ (Burke 1991; Burke and Reitzes 1981). Furthermore, social identification is one of the prime bases for participation in social movements which is primarily responsible for mass movements on issues that influence large segment of society. (Simon, Loewy, Stuermer, Weber, Freytag, Habig, Kampmeier, and Spahlinger 1998). 3. Analysis and wider implications of social identities The social identities in the current times have provoked wide ranging percolating effects that are increasing becoming complex and difficult to manage especially in the era which is rapidly transforming into pluralistic society. The group identities with religious overtones are especially creating huge dilemma for countries that pride themselves with high standard of socio economic and political ideologies. There is urgent need to evolve strategies and policies that may introduce new approach to tackling the emerging challenges of fanatic religion based identified groups who are more inclined towards violence against the mankind in the name of religious justice. While it is true that globalization has brought in a new socio economic order with the advent of multicultural societies, one cannot deny that the wide scope of new social equation has also given us an opportunity to evolve new paradigms that may define better understanding for mutual cooperation leading to enhanced understanding of mutual cultures and values. Since process of globalization is universal in content and appearance, it would be the right time to address this very important aspect of social identification which has been representing individualistic and group values and beliefs. We can thus conclude that so long as the people keep following different ideologies conforming to different religion, race and politics, social identity would remain one of the most crucial aspects of developing societies. The changing dynamics of socio economic and political variables have emerged as the most influential factors that are increasingly impacting the role models of social identity. The people are deliberately moving towards the adoption of values which are more universal in nature and promote peaceful coexistence. The paradigm shift is perhaps the result of too much conflicts and misunderstood ideologies that social identities seem to incorporate and exhibit. Reference Burke, Peter J. and Judy Tully. (1977). “The Measurement of Role/Identity.” Social Forces 55:881-97. Burke, Peter J. 1991. “Identity Processes and Social Stress.” American Sociological Review 56:836-49. Burke, Peter J. and Donald C. Reitzes. (1981). “The Link Between Identity and Role Performance.” Social Psychology Quarterly 44:83-92. Hogg, Michael A. and Dominic Abrams. (1988). Social Identifications: A Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations and Group Processes. London: Routledge. Hogg, M.A. & Vaughan, G.M. (2002). Social Psychology (3rd ed.) London: Prentice Hall. Simon, Bernd, Michael Loewy, Stefan Stuermer, Ulrike Weber, Peter Freytag, Corinna Habig, Claudia Kampmeier, and Peter Spahlinger. (1998. “Collective Identification and Social Movement Participation.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 74:646-58. Thoits, Peggy A. (1986). “Multiple Identities: Examining Gender and Marital Status Differences in Distress.” American Sociological Review 51:259-72. Tajfel, H. and Turner, J. C. (1986). The social identity theory of inter-group behavior. In S. Worchel and L. W. Austin (eds.), Psychology of Intergroup Relations. Chigago: Nelson-Hall Turner, John C., Michael A. Hogg, Penelope J. Oakes, Stephen D. Reicher, and Margaret S. Wetherell. (1987). Rediscovering the Social Group: A Self-Categorization Theory. New York: Basil Blackwell. Read More