Paper 1: Q3 - What is identity?

Question 1

The concept of identity
Aspects of identity and the associated cultural characteristics:

• ethnicity
• gender
• social class
• sexuality
• age
• disability

Hybrid identities

Answer 1

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Question 2

What is national identity and a relevant study?

Answer 2

An individual who has a national identity affects how they see themselves. National identity can be expressed in many ways i.e.

• Supporting national teams in a sport
• Knowing the language your country speaks
• Showing pride in the country by singing along to the anthem and wearing the flag

Anderson (1983) - Nation as an imagined community
Anderson argues that a ‘nation’ is an imagined community.
This is because members of a nation will never meet most of their fellow members so a national identity is socially constructed. This is shown through symbols like the flag, clothes and the anthem, and rituals such as national holidays and festivals.
He also argues that the social construction of national identities was encouraged by the mass circulation of newspapers and books, creating a national language. This is shown by media coverage of international sporting events as well as conflicts and disaster.

Question 3

Why are national identities in the UK so confusing and a relevant study

Answer 3

In the UK, national identity can be quite confusing. For example, people who are English can easily identify as ‘British’. However, Welsh, Scottish or Northern Irish people might have difficulty identifying with being British because English identity remains dominant so the other three countries are keen to assert their differences.

Kumar 2003 - English identity
Kumar states unlike the Scots, Welsh and Irish, English people find it difficult to say who they are as English national identity is non existent. The English have a long history of colonialism and imperialism, meaning English culture is stolen. So the quest to expand Britishness dilutes Englishness.