Evaluate the View That Individual Identity Is Socially Constructed Flashcards
What is Mead’s concept of the self, and how does it explain identity?
Mead argues that the self has two parts: the “I” (spontaneous, individual) and the “Me” (socialized, internalizes societal expectations). Identity develops through social interaction.
How does a child’s identity develop according to interactionists?
A child learns to behave in socially acceptable ways by observing and imitating others, such as parents or teachers.
Criticism: Interactionists may overlook innate factors, such as temperament, which also shape identity.
What are ISAs, and how do they shape identity?
ISAs (e.g., education, media) socialise individuals into accepting societal norms, maintaining control and shaping identity.
Criticism: Structural perspectives may overemphasize the deterministic nature of socialisation, ignoring individual agency and resistance.
How do schools shape identity according to structuralists?
Schools socialise students into accepting authority and competition, preparing them for their future roles in the workforce.
What is Stuart Hall’s view of identity?
Hall argues that identity is a “project” that individuals actively construct through consumption and cultural choices.
How does social media reflect postmodern identity?
Platforms like Instagram allow individuals to curate and present different versions of their identity, reflecting its fluid and fragmented nature.
Criticism: Postmodernists may underestimate the persistence of structural inequalities, such as class or gender, in shaping identity.
