Relationship Between Consumption and Identity
In traditional societies, people's identity was rooted in a set of social roles and values, which provided orientation and religious sanctions to define ones place in the world.
In modernity, identity is often characterised in terms of mutual recognition, as if ones identity depended on recognition from others combined with self- validation of this recognition. Identity still comes from a pre set of roles and norms. For example, a mother or a catholic, identities are still limited and fixed, though I believe the boundaries of possible new identities are continually expanding.
Current research suggests some theorists believe identity as something essential, substantial, fixed and essentially invariable. Yet other modern theorists consider the creation of identity as existential for each individual, using the personal responsibilities for ones own actions which create ones own moral values. Identity in modernity is associated to individuality to developing a uniquely individual self.
In my own research I have come to believe that in the consumer and media societies, identity has been increasingly linked to style, to producing an image, to how one looks. To have an identity people must develop their own look, style and image.
From this I want to argue that the world of consumption has a great influence on the way people create their identities. I shall explore important features of the nature and function of fashion, as it’s relevance offers models and materials for constructing identity. I then want to further my argument on whether consumption is seen as a passive process reflecting producer interests or an active process representing consumer interests, as this can determine how ones identity, or lack of, is perceived.
The consumption of products and services is important for the way in which it functions to mark social differences and act as a communicator, but it also gives satisfaction. Style, status and group identification are aspects of identity value. People choose to display commodities or engage in different spheres of consumption in an attempt to express their identity in a certain sort of image. A clear example to demonstrate a way in which someone may communicate their identity is the football supporter. When referring to picture 1, by simply wearing a Manchester United shirt, a...
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...s’ rather than ‘consumers’. We should consume on our own terms and thus learn to define our own desires instead of merely accepting the choice that the market offers us.
Rather than symptomatic of a ‘lack;’, I believe desire can in fact be a natural, positive energy – desire is production. As Guattari once observed , “we will only become revolutionary when we bring into play our ‘unconscious investments’ - when we reach the point where desire and machine become indistinguishable, where desire and contrivance are the same thing”(4).
The conclusion I have made is that people consume products to reinforce their position in life. They use these products to reflect their beliefs, status, lifestyle, likes and dislikes, incorporating external factors. For example, climate, religion and age. This reinforces their need to be individuals as well as belonging to a wider group.
Many people become victims of consumerism, often aspiring to unrealistic heights or being unable to sustain the financial implications of passive consumerism. The difference between essential consumerism and euphoric consumerism is a very fine line that can be easily crossed over if control is not maintained.
Although the concept of identity is recurrent in our daily lives, it has interpreted in various ways.
As the class progresses, it is evident how crucial adolescences years are. Both brain and physical development in teens, explains why they’re more likely to engage in risky behavior and react more impulsive (Snowman & McCown, 2015). A character that demonstrates how adolescent brain and physical development affects the adolescence behavior, emotional and social skills (Blakemore, 2011), is sixteen year old Juno MacGuff from the movie Juno. Juno is an independent comedy film, directed by Jason Reitman and was released in 2007. The main character, Juno, experienced various obstacles that showed her as a mature and strategic teenager compared to other teens, particularly when it comes to the decisions that she made, as well as dealing with an
Furthermore, identity comes from how people choose to comprehend and perceive their own self. The elements of identity are limitless because you can choose to be whoever you want to be, despite the opinions of others. Thus, one’s identity tends to be unique, in a sense, compared to other
Assessment has been the greatest challenge in my development as a professional. My coursework as supported my growth in this area, especially in understanding the broad range of assessments used to support students’ growth and development. My courses have also supported my understanding of how ongoing observational assessment and standards-based measures can be used to inform instruction and support the cycle of observation, reflection and planning. Coursework
Yet, Ewen’s trends, fashions and styles that could be appropriately deemed traditions, are not explored from the perspective of tradition. Upon comparing the issues of identity crises suggested in A Bugs Life with those in Stewart Ewen’s The Chosen People, the sources and characteristics of identity crises in Ewen’s essay are found incomplete. Ewen limits his exploration of the sources and characteristics of identity crises of the middle class to consumerism and materialism as well as the obsession with image, style and fashion. By restricting his analysis to these issues, Ewen overlooks the perspectives of identity crises in relationship to tradition, the positive aspects of conformity and gender roles.
Assessment is defined in the Merriam – Webster Dictionary as “the act of making a judgement about something” and thus connotes a worthwhile activity based on sound, careful thought. In Education, assessment has been variously defined as “any systematic method for obtaining information from tests and other sources, used to draw inferences about characteristics of people, objects or programs” (AERA, APA, & NCME, 1999, p.172); “any purported and formal action to obtain information about the competence and performance of a candidate’ (Schuwirth & van der Vleuten, 2014. p.243). Generally, assessment has three purposes. First, to determine what students do and do not know,
As the course progresses, it is evident how crucial adolescences years are. Both the brain and physical development in teens, explains why they’re more likely to engage in risky behavior and react more impulsive (Snowman & McCown, 2015). A character that demonstrates how adolescent brain and physical development affects the adolescence behavior, emotional and social skills (Blakemore, 2011), is sixteen year old Juno MacGuff from the movie Juno. Juno is an independent comedy film, directed by Jason Reitman and was released in 2007. The main character, Juno, experienced various obstacles that showed her as a mature and strategic teenager compared to other teens, particularly when it came to the decisions that she made and dealing with an unplanned
What is identity? Identity is an unbound formation which is created by racial construction and gender construction within an individual’s society even though it is often seen as a controlled piece of oneself. In Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum’s piece, “The Complexity of Identity: ‘Who Am I?’, Tatum asserts that identity is formed by “individual characteristics, family dynamics, historical factors, and social and political contexts” (Tatum 105). Tatum’s piece, “The Complexity of Identity: ‘Who Am I?’” creates a better understanding of how major obstacles such as racism and sexism shape our self identity.
Today people are forced to adapt to the dynamic and constantly changing every day life; thus, identity is becoming an important factor in how they live and with whom they associate. The importance of forming of identity pointed by Samovar,
Consumerism is not always a negative issue. However, when one’s identity revolves around material items, and being constantly torn between what to buy next, there is a serious problem. Many movements are taking measures to raise awareness about consumerism, but as it is, Americans have to deal with the culture we inherited: the consumer’s culture.
For several decades, as if, a typical undergraduate dream has been characterized with few major steps – getting prestigious high education, taking or buying a diploma, and consequently becoming a successful rich careerist with intuitively main goal to consume as much as possible in order to boost one’s utility at highest potential level. In this way of thinking, development of personal individualism and pursue of human values are left behind the curtains. Everything that can be seen on the scene of our being is mass consumerism, which slowly, gradually, but surely is transferring us into a hedonistic consumer society. According to an article in European Journal of Marketing, “A consumer society is defined as one directed largely by the accumulation and consumption of material goods. The term "consumer society" is used in a pejorative sense, coming from the perception that such a society will inevitably be hedonistic. It is the search for instant gratification that we traditionally associate with hedonism….”(41 Issue: 2007). In our way to gain deep pleasure, we are over purchasing items and gadgets which once were thought to be extreme luxuries. Most of the times, we are interested in what kind of IPhone we possess, whether to buy a tablet or a laptop, are we are driving more expensive and fancy car than the others, what is more fashionable – a pair of Armani jeans or a pair of Dolce and Cabaña trousers.
In the modern society, the concept of identity is gaining much attention from both scientists and the wide public. The idea of identity is connected with the issues of identification and determining one's role in the society. However, the problem with the identity concerns the idea that it is perceived through numerous external factors that tend to determine the social status of a person and his or her belonging to a certain group. With regard to this, very often the identity of every particular person tends to be misinterpreted and perceived incorrectly. The incorrect interpretation of a person's identity usually comes as a result of cultural differences. The aspects that define the person’s identity usually include the labels that tend to be imposed on people due to their world-view, the language they are speaking, the racial belonging, or even the clothes they are wearing.
In the world of social media, perception is everything. Everyone has an optimal vision of themselves. With this in mind, the ideal image that one creates for himself is the one that they portray on social media. Whether their platform is Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, people have the ability to design and produce the image that they want everyone to see. It is important to recognize that this image may at times be exaggerated or fabricated. When realizing that someone’s identity may not always be as it seems, it demonstrates the intricate nature of the human disposition. Saul Mcleod addresses the different categories of social identity in his article Social Identity Theory. “Similarly, we find out things about ourselves by knowing what categories we belong to. We define appropriate behavior by reference to the norms of groups we belong to, but you can only do this if you can tell who belongs to your group. An individual can belong to many different groups” (Mcleod, par. 12). In today’s society there are a wide variety of categories that can potentially indicate how people define themselves. These subdivisions may illustrate their idealistic view of themselves. Social identity is not an artificial idea, it is a part of that person. Their social identity is a part of what makes them who they are. Many people define themselves as followers or feel that they are lost in the crowd. This happens as some tend to
Identity is the condition of being oneself. One's identity is largely influenced by society. It has a far-reaching effect on identity by shaping beliefs, whether cultural, traditional or personal. It is why one's perspective on things is driven by what one’s society chooses to believe, because one is taught to think the way society tells them to.
Art classes throughout kindergarten and up to my junior year in college have taught me so much about expression, performance and making a statement. Learning and practicing art introduces a new way of processing information, and approaching problems. In my