Critical Perspectives

Contemporary Concepts of Identity and 'Collective Identity'

Media/collective identity (targeted group/group of people who share same belief)

 

 

Collective Identity

 

Individual identitity - How you see yourself. Seperately from others.

Social identity - Our 'meaning' to others, the role we play in society.

Collective identity - How those who are similar or different contribute to our sense of 'self''

  

Anthony Giddens and 'Structuration'

Individual actions and social forces are inter-related. Repeated actions of individuals create 'social norms'. These 'social norms' influence the individuals decisions on how to behave for example, conforming vs. rebelling. So, identity is influenced by society's expectations (and lots of these expectations are reinforced by the media). For example, queing at a bus stop becomes a social norm. However individuals have a choice whether to conform or challenge these.

We then thought of examples from our own behaviour where we have reinforced a 'social norm' and where we have challenged a 'social norm'.
For example, for me a way that I reinforce 'social norms' is by not swearing in public and by wearing clothes (you can be arrested for indecent exposure if you are naked in public). However I can't say that I challenge any 'social norms'.

Giddens 'Traditional Identity'
'Traditional societies' identity is based around the accepted norms, codes and behaviour of the family/community. For example, a mans job is the same as your father's, so your career, class and gender is set.
 



Class Identity and Fashion

In 19th and 20th Europe and America, class was identified by style of hat. Nowadays it is seen as different.

Modernist Concept of Identity
Identity has been lost..... how? It's a side effect of industrialisation.

Why did the industrial revolution erodes people's sense of identity?
Here is a glimpse of what the industrial revolution would of looked like as shown at the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Here are the reasons why:

• No individuality any more.
• Overwhelming for people from rural areas.
• Accents were different.
• Interests.
• Lifestyles.
• Lots of people in one place would not know everyone in rural areas like before Industrialisation.
• Cities are anonymous.
• Not known for your trade any more, just by your name.
• Now is collective identity.
• Survival of the fittest.
• Men working harder this means they have less time with their families.
• Ride of capitalism - people want more money. 
• No time for hobbies. 
• Lack of space. 

Industrialisation and Identity

Urbanisation undermined traditional communities which helped form identity (i.e. where are you from, who knows you). In huge cities this 'community identity' is eroded. Changes in work patterns = change in family structure, spilt between private (home) world and public (work). Work demands efficiency not personality - identity became private, 'leisure pursuit'.

Modernist Concepts of Identity

Sigmund Freud a theorist said 'Identity isn't stable and rational, but a constant conflict between id, ego and super-ego, conscious and unconscious minds. 'You' are defined by your previous experiences and subconscious desires. Your core identity is hidden from your concious mind; 'the real' you can only be accessed through psychoanalysis. 

Anthony Giddens - 'Post-traditional' identy

In post-traditional societies individuals are free to construct their own identity.

Modern (i.e. post-traditional) societies encourage these questions about who we are and who we want to be. They encourage us to construct a lifestyle based around our beliefs and behaviours.

Linking it to the Media
The media can influence this by showing us a range of individuals and behaviours (that affects our beliefs about what is 'normal')  Giddens says our identity has become a self-reflexive project - a continuous and changing narrative of who we are, who we have been and who will be in the future. This meaning 'you' aren't purely your biography  or who you are 'now', or your aspirations.... 'You' are all of these things.

How has 'structuration'  been accelerated by the 'digital revolution'?
Easy access to everything (very fast).


From this we were asked....
How have you changed since Year 11? (Age 16)
Since I have a disability my answers were not the typical answers that a teenager would give, the following are my answers:

• I have gained more social skills which I have used to inspire others e.g. I went to a school where I inspired younger students. Also I have done the same from my own school. 
• I have become more independent i.e. talking in groups and more outgoing, 
• Travelling around on my own e.g. travelling from my house to my church by myself. 
• I now have better knowledge of a varied amount of films.