Evaluate Interactionist Approaches to the Formation of Identities Flashcards
What is the interactionist view of identity formation?
Interactionists argue that identities are formed through social interactions and the meanings individuals attach to them.
What is labelling theory, and how does it explain identity formation?
Labelling theory, developed by Howard Becker, suggests that identities are shaped by the labels others attach to individuals, which can become internalized and influence behavior (e.g., self-fulfilling prophecy).- pygmalion
How does labelling theory apply to education?
Teachers may label students as “bright” or “troublemakers,” influencing their academic performance and behavior (e.g., Rosenthal and Jacobson’s Pygmalion effect).
What is Cooley’s concept of the looking-glass self?
The looking-glass self involves three steps: imagining how we appear to others, imagining their judgment, and developing a self-concept based on those judgments.
How does the looking-glass self apply to teenagers?
A teenager may see themselves as “popular” or “unpopular” based on how their peers treat them, influencing their behavior and self-esteem.
What is Goffman’s dramaturgical theory?
Goffman argues that individuals perform identities like actors in a play, using “front stage” behaviors to conform to societal expectations and “back stage” behaviors to be their true selves.
How does dramaturgical theory apply to teachers?
A teacher may act professionally in the classroom (front stage) but relax with friends (back stage), showing the fluidity of identity.
What is a strength of interactionist approaches to identity formation?
They provide a detailed understanding of how identities are shaped through social interactions and individual agency.
How do Marxists critique interactionist approaches to identity?
Marxists argue that identities are shaped by class and economic structures, which interactionists overlook.
How do feminists critique interactionist approaches to identity?
Feminists argue that patriarchy shapes gender identities, which interactionists may underestimate.
