Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Experiences that shape identity
How do family decisions help influence identity
Factors that influence identity development
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Experiences that shape identity
This research report explores how previous educational experiences shape present realities and identity. My interest in this topic stems from my personal history and how my own identity was shaped and influenced by my school experiences. In the process of researching and reflecting on my own experiences, I focused on pinpointing the instances I found to be critical in my identity formation and using research to explain why these events had such a large impact.
Multiple Pathways to Identification: Exploring the Multidimensionality of Academic Identity Formation in Ethnic Minority Males explores what makes up academic identity, uses this framework to challenge the stereotypes that are forced upon ethnic minority males, and analyzes the various
…show more content…
The common concept amongst these studies is how outside influences and influencers can alter the identity development of adolescents, or as Yeager, Bundick, and Johnson explain, “Too much pressure from adults or other outside forces may undermine internalization of new ideas about one’s identity” (Yeager, Bundick & Johnson, 2012). As students grow and develop, both as conscious and independent beings, they look for guidance from trustworthy adults. Teachers and parents/guardians majorly influence the children they interact with everyday. In Multiple Pathways to Identification, society influences ethnic minority males by perpetuating stereotypes and possibly hindering their individual paths to success. Students who experience school burnout, according to How does School Experience Relate to Adolescent Identity Formation Over Time?, experience this because the demands of these students outweigh their mental resources. The expectations of teachers and/or parents/guardians can cause these students to overexert themselves, and if the student does not have the mental stamina, this could lead to the students’ complete disconnect to education and academic identity formation. Finally, as mentioned previously in the summary of The role of future work goal motives in adolescent identity development, an overabundance of influence from adults or other sources inhibit the key aspects of autonomy and self-determination in the identity formation of adolescents. My own identity, pertaining to both future work goals and academics, was influenced by my experiences with adults, particularly teachers, as I developed as an adolescent. In the next section, I will explore the findings of these studies regarding how identity formation can be influenced by outside sources impeding individual’s autonomy
Biological influences combined with societal and social expectations contribute to how well people learn to adapt to their environments (2013). According to Erikson, there are eight stages of development. Within these states, there are different psychological, emotional and cognitive tasks. In order to adjust, individuals must learn to develop these tasks. During adolescence, Erikson states that each person needs to navigate through the development task of ‘‘Identity vs. Identity confusion ’’ (2013). He defined this task by stating that adolescent children must learn to develop a sense of self and establish independence. Prior to this stage of development, a person’s parents largely influence their identity. In this stage the adolescent children begin to explore and develop their identity outside of their parents’ influence (Hill, Bromell, Tyson, & Flint, 2007). Adolescents are generally more egocentric at this stage and have an increased sense of self-consciousness. They also have a strong desire to conform to peer influence and develop concerns regarding their appearance. They develop concern about their level of competence in relation to their peer group as well. As peer influence increases, during this stage, parental influence decreases (Ashford & LeCroy, 2013; Hill et. al, 2007). Conflict generally increases between parent and child at this stage of development (2007).
Identity is primarily described primarily as what makes a person who they are. While it is seen as an individual asset, one’s identity can be shaped and persuaded not only by life experiences, but by society as well. Bryan Stevenson speaks on several controversial issues and proclaims certain societal problems and the typical behaviors noticed in response to them. How one approaches the issues that are spoken about may expose their true identity. Stevenson argues that how one reacts to racial inequality within the criminal justice system may regulate their identity. In addition to that, how dealing with the nation’s history may force a growth on one’s identity, eventually bringing peace and acceptance to the nation. Lastly, how one views the
· Dashefsky, A. (Eds.). (1976). Ethnic identity in society. Chicago: Rand McNally College Publishing Co. Smith, E.J. (1991). Ethnic identity development: Toward the development of a theory within the context of majority/minority status. Journal of Counseling and Development, 70, 181-187.
There are many aspects of identity in the poem “Sex without Love,” by Sharon Olds. I can relate my own thoughts to how the author views the subject that she talks about in this poem. There has been a situation in my own life where I was thinking to myself, just as the author was, “How do they do it, the ones who make love without love?” (Olds 740). Having been raised as a well-rounded and disciplined person, as well as religious, I know the discouragement of having premarital sex. It’s not just the immorality that these characters are experiencing that the author is talking about, but they probably have personal issues that have to do with a their self worth and identity. These characters think they know what love is, but the truth is that they are in denial of what they are really doing.
In the relevant course, CRD 2, I was made aware of a few different theories of social identity development, particularly pertaining to race. As I began to examine these theories, I sought out similarities, something that would catch my eye and make me think, “That applies to me.” Beverly Tatum’s ideas caught with me most easily, and I will elaborate on them shortly, but for the most part, I had to struggle to find one that seemed synonymous with who I am and how I see myself. The closest likenesses I could find were for the most part milder versions of the theory’s anecdotes, and I found it unnecessary to make myself conform to a theory exactly. While the theories are excellent material for reflection, and possibly even enlightenment, I assert that, considering the individuality of each person, it’s illogical to assume that every person can be categorized into a theory.
America has always been considered the melting pot of the world, but in recent years with the climb in the number of interracial marriages, (Root 1996) American school systems must learn how to cater to the needs of multiracial students. In this paper, multiracial “refers to people who are of two or more racial heritages. It is the most inclusive term to refer to people across all racial mixes. Thus it also includes biracial people” (Root 1996). Multiracial students face problems with developing their racial identity and feeling approval from peers who are not mixed, making their experiences in school more difficult especially in a social context (Gibbs 1990 as sited in moss and davis). For current and future educators, this means that there will be a growing need to support students from mixed backgrounds and create curriculums that cater to their needs as well as give those students positive perspectives on their racial make up. This paper will explore the complications that multiracial students face with their identity development and how schools and teachers can positively impact this development.
parents that among others things taught me to be true to my feelings and to
This film explores identity in an isolated way, with only two characters who are very different. The concept of identity is always changing, and has been for the past few decades as people become more knowledgeable and creative in the social aspect of life. Alma and Elisabet’s relationship shows psychological effects of isolation, and having a split personality disorder, both of which create tension between our characters while showing a reliance on the other.
There are multiple scenarios where one might manage their identities. Generally the importance of identity management surfaces when we want to begin or maintain a relationship, when we want someone to act or behave a certain way, when we feel the need to preserve an image of someone, or when we are experimenting with different personalities to alter the perception that others have of us. Managing your identity is essential to sculpting the image that we want some to have of us and the way we behave in different situations will manipulate this perception as well. That is to say, when the situation changes, so does our personality
You got curly hair from your mother and big brown eyes from your father. But where did you get your talents and opinions? Did you learn your interest from environmental factors or was this already embedded within you? We know appearance, for the most part, is something we cannot control, but we can control what we like or dislike. These things we learn from our society shape our identity. For a better perspective, identity is the strongest influence on our personalities. We all have a deep wish to stay true to how we characterize ourselves. Any conversion we make within ourselves will depend upon our surroundings. By building off given characteristics, we can create an everlasting change within our lives. This change can be a good or a bad thing; the identity we develop depends on us. Nurture is the development of certain characteristics that was influenced by the environment. These characteristics include your favorite styles or your talents. No matter who we chose to become, we will always seek for the best. Therefore, by developing characteristics as we continue to live our lives, nurture is the ultimate cause of identity.
In a famous experiment, students were asked to take a lemon home and to get used to it. Three days later, they were able to single out “their” lemon from a pile of rather similar ones. They seemed to have bonded. Is this the true meaning of love, bonding, coupling? Do we simply get used to other human beings, pets, or objects?
The formation of identity is a process that begins to take shape from certain specific conditions of the person, from the moment of birth, along with some basic facts and experiences. From the above, the identity is formed giving us a simple picture of ourselves, which allows us to act consistently as we think. Identity is identification, identification from others and that our identity is our prior, personal identity for others. but the specific relationships that have been compared to the other. Therefore, the identity formation forms in various types of factors such as Cultural factors, Religion factors, Society influences,
Adolescence is a critical time for development for identity development and formation. A combination of social, physical and cognitive changes occurs during this stage of life. Erik Erikson referred to this time as identity crisis, “crisis” meaning a turning point rather than a debilitating event. Erikson acknowledged that identity issues arise throughout each stage of development, however he specifically advised us that identity formation was the “developmental task” of adolescence (1968). During Eriskon’s identified stage of “Identity versus Role Confusion” adolescents are becoming more independent, looking to the future in terms of college and career choices, along with relationships. In this critical
In conclusion, the formation of one’s identity has many components. Beginning at the onset of adolescence and continuing to expand, grow and form and reform as we live through the struggles or success of life. Many theorists have endeavored to clarify the development of identity formation. However, Erik Erickson offered one significant theory involving the formation of one’s identity. Expounding on Erickson theory, Marcia developed his Identity Status Model according to the existence or absence of crisis and commitments. These four statuses, diffusion, foreclosure, moratorium and achievement can combine in various ways to produce a self. One’s sense of identity is determined largely by the choices and commitments made, therefore, having a well-developed sense of self can provide an individual with insight to their strengths, weaknesses, and individual uniqueness. An individual that finds themselves
According to Erikson, when adolescents are unable to find ownership of an identity, their lives can spiral off in several directions. In some ways they will reverse the role of their desire, slipping into a socially unacceptable role or a role that does not match who they wish to become (Feldman, 2012). Other teenagers will forego social interactions, leaving them to feel sad and alone in the world (Feldman, 2012). Teenagers thrive off of finding an identity to center themselves around, and when they fail to identify one, the adolescent crisis ensues (Feldman, 2012). There are several factors that can distract an adolescent from identifying a personal identity and pursuing a life of well-being...