Booklet 3: The Self and Identity Flashcards
Identity definition?
A concept used to refer loosely to our sense of self, especially our subjective feelings about how others perceive and interpret our behaviour.
Labelling theory definition?
An approach that focuses on the negative labelling of certain social groups as deviant by the agents of social control (e.g. teachers, the police, mass media etc.
Looking Glass Self definition?
The idea, developed by Cooley, that a crucial part of our identity is constructed by checking how it is reflected in the responses of others.
Moral Panic definition?
A concept that refers to the media’s ability to transform an event or social group into a threat to society (a folk devil) through sensationalist and stereotyped reporting of the news.
Prejudice definition?
A stereotypical or negative view of an individual or social group that is not supported by the facts.
Presentation of self in everyday life definition?
The idea, developed by Goffman, that we try to manage the impression we give to others in our everyday interactions through our body language, dress, speech content etc in order to give the desired impression.
Self definition?
An individual’s subjective sense of his or her identity.
Social role definition?
A set of behaviours, rights and expectations connected to a particular role in society. It is a set of norms that defines how people in a particular position should behave.
Stigma definition?
An attribute, behaviour, or reputation which results in negative reactions from other people in some way. It causes an individual to be classified by others in an undesirable, rejected stereotype rather than in an accepted, normal one.
Impression management definition?
The way in which individuals try to convince other people of the identities they wish to assert. Developed by Goffman. Linked to presentation of self in everyday life.
Front stage definition?
The public area (the stage) where individuals (actors) aim to give particular
impressions, regarding their identity other people (audience). Developed by Goffman. Linked to: presentation of self in everyday life.
Back stage definition?
The private space where people can stop performing (asserting a preferred identity) and be themselves, as opposed to the front stage. Developed by Goffman. Linked to: presentation of self in everyday life.
Master status definition?
The primary identifying characteristic of an individual which influences
their identity and behaviour.
Deviance definition?
Behaviour which lies outside the norms and values of a society and is likely to attract social disapproval and even punishment.
Stigmatised identity definition?
A negative sense of identity, based upon adverse reactions from other people based on an attribute, behaviour etc that the person may have. E.g. a disability.
