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.
 



Richard Jenkins and 'Collective Identification'

In media we learnt about a media theorist called Richard Jenkins, this is what he said about collective identification.

"We need to interact with others in order to develop an identity - this would also include interaction with media which develop an internal identity which then is influenced by external factors."

He continued to say......

"When we partake in an event with other people with whom we feel an affinity we are involved in collective identification - our identity receive the approval and solidarity of others."

We then linked this to the media, these are the types of media which link to his theory:

• People that watch same T.V.
• Support same football teams.
• Read same news papers/books/magazines.
• Video games/consoles
• Films/music
• Genre
• Social media such as Facebook/Twitter

The media we consume can offer this collective identification in two ways.

• Feeling 'identification,with a particular character`s behaviour and beliefs (and this could be aspirational). 
• Feeling 'solidarity' with others who like the same media products.

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.