The Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On Personality

Throughout Persepolis and Ceremony, both Marji and Tayo’s identities are impacted by the socioeconomic status they live in. Socioeconomic status, or SES, can greatly impact important aspects of one's identity. In a study done by Thomas Deckers et al., the effects of socioeconomic status on a child’s personality (that is, risk preferences, time preferences, and IQ) are explored through multiple tests of IQ, risk-taking scenarios, tests of patience, and altruism. They found that socioeconomic statuses of the children tested strongly affected all of said categories- children with a higher SES proved to be more patient, made less risk-taking choices, had higher overall IQ’s, and tended to be more selfless (Deckers et al). This study proves that SES can affect key parts of one’s

The quality of selflessness impacts the way others view one, which changes how one thinks others view him or her- two main components to what makes up one’s self-concept. Choices that involve a high risk factor can hurt an individual’s self-esteem, depending on said choices, like gambling, abusive relationships, or failure in jobs and business. Patience is another key to how others view an individual, impacting self-concept, which affects identity. In Persepolis, Marji realizes how deeply socioeconomic status can affect an individual. To her father, she vents, “But is it her fault where she was born??? Dad, are you for or against social classes?” (Satrapi 37). Marji is highly sensitive to the differences in SES of her friend, and those around her. But, she does come from a higher socioeconomic status, so she has more compassion for humanity as a whole, as proven above She also has a higher IQ, in part because her parents’ wealth allowed her to attend a private school, where she learned French, and probably got a better overall