Identity
Self-identity or self-concept is a multidimensional personal construct that refers to one's individual perception of themselves in relation to a number of different characteristics or situations such as gender role, sexuality, racial identity, and so forth (Shavelson et al. 1976). Social-identity is the portion of the individual self-identity that has to do with perceived membership in a personally-relevant social group or social-identity can refer to the collective identity of the group (Turner and Oakes 1986).

Personal possessions have always been used by anthropogists to help to understand the personal and social identities of people living in different cultures, present and past; however, in the postmodern era, the notion of separate social identities is somewhat marred by the ability of consumers to connect with other cultures and possess items of a cross-cultural nature (Solomon 1983). Self-identity is something that people in the postmodern era create at least partially through their consumption and…...

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References

Gagne P. And Tewksbury R. 1998. Conformity pressure and gender resistance among transgendered individuals. Social Problems 45(1), pp. 81-101.

James, W. 1890. The principles of psychology Vol. 1. New York: Henry Holt.

Markus, H. And Nurius, P. 1986. Possible selves. American Psychologist 41 (9), pp. 954-969.

Money J. 1985. Pediatric sexology and hermaphroditism. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy 11(3), pp. 139-156.

This is especially true with Sethe. She realizes more self-awareness when knows she is free. Her selfishness is finally right in her eyes and this sense of power allows her to discover different aspects of life, including passion. She comes to realize beauty and love. She even learn to let go of her past and she tells Beloved, "You got to learn more sense than that" (130). Sethe does let go and then she understands that she is strong enough to survive and l be her own good thing. hen Sethe tells Beloved how she tended to her as a baby, Beloved does not believe and was "uncomprehending everything except that Sethe was the woman who took her face away, leaving her crouching in a dark, dark place, forgetting to smile" (296). hile this scene is tragic, we see how it forces characters to realize certain truths about themselves.…...

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Work Cited

Morrison, Toni. Beloved. New York: Signet Books. 1987.

Interestingly other sociologists take a different approach, noting social identity is many things, inclusive of the foundational "aspects of ones selfhood" (Brubaker & Cooper, 2000: 8). Self-identity seems the opposite note Brubaker & Cooper (2000) of solidarity and rather is more the result of "interactive development" amongst people that share similar beliefs, experiences and opinions.
It is important to note however when one reflect on self-identity the many contexts in which the term is utilized. True understanding suggests one must first have an idea of self, about what that self is, how well the self functions and how much the self is similar to and different from the world at large (Jenkins, 2004; Brubaker & Cooper, 2000). Also posed is the question of meaning when one refers to the self, and whether the self means the same for those attempting to define it. Most people would define the self as…...

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References

Brubaker, R. (1984). The limits to rationality: An essay on the social and moral thought of Max Weber, London: George Allen and Unwin.

Jenkins, R. (2004). Social Identity. New York: Routledge.

Lesko, W.A. (2002), Readings in social psychology: General, classic & contemporary selections (5th Edition). Boston: Allyn & Bacon

TenHuisen, E. & Standish, a.M. (2004). Caregivers Interventions, Child Life

90s American Popular Culture and Self-Identity Formation
Popular culture is the main force in America; it reaches our classrooms, cars and, even homes and influences what people think, watch, listen to, wear, and buy. Popular culture can be quite addictive, annoying, offensive, controversial, and pleasurable. It can also be difficult and almost impossible to avoid. In many cases it is challenging for us to differentiate between popular culture and the rest of our lives, because it is so entrenched in our day-to-day patterns. Given the significant role of popular culture in the American society, I propose in this paper that it should be looked at as a cultural practice, with its own power to bring about social change -- to transform social factors, and the foundations themselves of people's lives. This essay particularly discusses the manner in which popular culture can help youth to make a society more democratic, in other…...

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References

Barker, C., & Galasi-ski, D. (2001). Cultural studies and discourse analysis: A dialogue on language and identity. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Bryman, A. (2004) Social Research Methods, (revised edition), Oxford: Oxford University Press

Bucholz, M. (2002). Youth and Cultural Practice, Annual Review of Anthropology, 31, 525-552.

Dearn, L.K. (2013). Young People And Popular Music Culture The Impact Of Popular Music Within The Everyday Lives Of Children Aged 10-16. Masters By Research University Of York

The conclusion of the story leads us to believe that he has found a single memory that he can identify with as he watched J.P. And his wife reconcile. The single moment of happiness he remembers is enough to compel him to try to communicate with his wife and girlfriend and become the man he used to be and the man he wants to be. He can recover who he is by reaching out to those in his life. Individuality is often destroyed with alcoholism because alcoholics tend to feel that they cannot exist without a drink. The fact that the narrator wants to try to improve signals that he has rediscovered a strong sense of identity and as ready to live without alcohol.
here I'm Calling From" is also a story of hope. At the end of the story, we have hope that the narrator and J.P. might actually…...

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Works Cited

Carver, Raymond. "Where I'm Calling From." Where I'm Calling From: Stories. New York: Vintage Contemporaries. 1989.

Cheesman (2002) conducted a study on Karen identity in the Union of Myanmar with regards to historical and social conditions. The study found that Karen identity is a relatively difficult identity because individuals from this ethnic background do not have a common language, material attributes, religion and culture. While most of the existing assessments of this ethnic identity have been carried out in Thailand, it is largely influenced by historical and social conditions in the Union of Myanmar. Based on a review of contemporary Myanmar, people of Karen identity are seemingly virtuous, illiterate (uneducated), and oppressed. Many aspects relating to this identity appear to emphasize inferiority and subordination mostly because of mythology and modifications by the elite. Similar to the Union of Myanmar, Karen identity was brought by political dynamics and created by elite groups in the society.
The information provided in the article is accurate with regards to the role…...

Introduction
According to Phinney and Alipuria (1987), ethnic self-identity is the sense of self that an individual feels; being a member of an ethnic group, along with the behavior and attitudes with that feeling (p. 36). The authors point out that the development of ethnic identity is an evolution from the point of an ethnic identity that is not examined through an exploration period, so as to resonate with a specified and attained ethnic identity (p. 38).

Ethnic identity refers to a feeling, attitude and identification of one with the behavior and character of people of a specified culture and cultural ethos. They often have a common origin, values, beliefs, practices, customs and other commonalities. Therefore, as opposed to the race concept in which the physical traits are the main controlling factor, ethnicity relates to the common values, beliefs and concepts help by a group of people (Yeh & Huang, 1996).

Ethnic Minority…...

In essence I am a very gregarious person with many friends. I enjoy the company of others and I am especially devoted to my family. I feel that family life is the core of the positive aspects of modern civilization. On the other hand I am also very concerned about social ills, homelessness and the contravention of basic human rights that occur daily in our word. Another area of concern that defines me as a person is my concern for the environment and the damage that has been done to our ecosystems by what I see as the exploitation and greed of a few.

In short, I am a concerned individual who views personal growth and identity as something that carries with it a responsibility towards others and the world around us. I feel that while it is important to be personally ambitious, success should not come at the expense of…...

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References

Identity quotes. Retrieved from http://thinkexist.com/quotations/identity/

Sebald, H. (1977). A Social Psychological Analysis.

Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Most Elizabethans believed their self-identity was wrapped up in a cosmic paradigm of fate and destiny, and were somehow controlled by the stars and planets and had a power over the baser side of man -- tools of God, but with certain amounts of free will. Thus, a very central idea in Shakespeare is this central view that an individual's identity is set by God, the Planets, the Universe, the Gods, and Nature. But in contrast, the idea of free will for the individual -- or even a single utterance or decision, can change forever the destiny of the individual. A superb example of this is in Romeo and Juliet.

Fate and chance surround the identities of the major and minor characters in RJ almost from the opening scene. Because the audience already believed that their destiny was predetermined, they saw the characters as having very little choice in their situation.…...

Racism and Society -- Literature Response
Race and Identity as Functions of Societal Labeling and Expectations

Two pieces of 20th century literature exemplify the alienation felt by African-Americans in the United States. One of those works, authored by Zora Neal Hurston in 1928, is the essay How It Feels to Be Colored Me, which vividly illustrates the degree to which the identity of a black person in the pre-Civil Rights era was defined by white society. More importantly, Hurston's work also illustrates how much of a conflict and perpetual struggle African-Americans experienced internally if they tried to maintain their own self-identity. hereas many blacks of that era bought into the expectations foisted on them by white society, others resisted this artificial identity that was imposed on them. Hurston clearly was shaped by this dynamic and bitterly resisted the self-identity that she was expected to have accepted and reflected to get along in…...

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Works Cited

Ehrenreich, B. (2009). Nickel and Dimed: on (Not) Getting by in America. New York,

NY: Henry Holt and Company, LLC.

Hurston, Z.N. (1928). How It Feels to Be Colored Me.

Staples, B. (1986). Just Walk on By.

Essay Topic Examples 1. The Evolution of Self-Concept Across the Lifespan:
    Explore how self-concept changes and develops from childhood through adulthood and into old age. Consider cognitive, emotional, and social influences that contribute to the shaping and reshaping of self-concept over time. Examine key theories and research that explain these changes and their impacts on individual behavior and relationships.

2. Cultural Influences on Self-Concept:
    Analyze how different cultures shape the self-concept of individuals who grow up within them. Discuss how cultural norms, values, and practices contribute to the understanding of the self, and how cultural identity interacts with individual self-concept. Contrast the self-concept of individuals from collectivistic and individualistic societies, offering insights into cultural variations.

3. The Role of Social Media in Shaping Self-Concept:
    Investigate the impact of social media on self-concept, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Address the influence of virtual interactions, online feedback, and digital personas on the development of…...

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Primary Sources

Rosenberg, Morris. \"Society and the Adolescent Self-Image.\" Princeton University Press, 1965.

Cooley, Charles Horton. \"Human Nature and the Social Order.\" Scribner\'s, 1902.

Mead, George Herbert. \"Mind, Self, and Society.\" University of Chicago Press, 1934.

James, William. \"The Principles of Psychology.\" Henry Holt and Company, 1890.

Bandura, Albert. \"Self-Efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behavioral Change.\" Psychological Review, vol. 84, no. 2, 1977, pp. 191-215.

Essay Topic Examples
1. The Role of Self-Concept in ersonal Growth:
    Explore how an individual's understanding and evaluation of themselves can greatly influence their personal development. Discuss the importance of self-awareness in the process of setting and achieving personal goals, overcoming challenges, and making significant life changes.

2. The Impact of Social Media on Self-Concept Among Adolescents:
    Examine the ways in which social media platforms can shape and even distort the self-concept of young users. Consider both the positive and negative influences of social comparison, feedback from peers, and the curated presentation of self-image in online spaces.

3. Self-Concept and Interpersonal Relationships:
    Discuss how self-concept affects the formation and maintenance of relationships. Analyze the interplay between self-confidence, communication skills, and the capacity to establish meaningful connections with others.

4. Cultural Influences on Self-Concept Development:
    Delve into the diverse ways in which culture, traditions, and societal norms contribute to shaping an individual's self-concept. Investigate the…...

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Primary Sources

Rosenberg, Morris. \"Society and the Adolescent Self-Image.\" Princeton University Press, 1965.

Coopersmith, Stanley. \"The Antecedents of Self-Esteem.\" W. H. Freeman, 1967.

James, William. \"The Principles of Psychology.\" Harvard University Press, 1983. Original work published 1890.

Mead, George Herbert. \"Mind, Self, and Society.\" University of Chicago Press, 1934.

Harter, Susan. \"The Construction of the Self: A Developmental Perspective.\" Guilford Press, 1999.

Identity Themes in Praisesong for the idow by Paule Marshall and Confessions of a Mask by Mishima
As marginalized people from around the world gain their voice in print, contemporary interpretations of identity become especially timely and relevant. Indeed, in an increasingly globalized world where multiculturalism is the norm rather than the exception, an analysis of how identity is perceived by these diasporic peoples is timely and relevant. To this end, this paper provides a comparative analysis of the identity themes in Praisesong for the idow by Paule Marshall and Confessions of a Mask by Mishima, including an examination of these issues in the peer-reviewed and scholarly literature. Finally, a summary of the research concerning these identity themes and important findings are presented in the conclusion.

Review and Analysis

Praisesong for the idow by Paule Marshall

Although people form an individual sense of identity over time, this sense change can as their experiences and…...

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Works Cited

Alexander, Simone A. Mother Imagery in the Novels of Afro-Caribbean Women. Colombia, MO:

University of Missouri Press, 2001.

Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. New York: Routledge,

1990.

Self and Social Psychology
Social psychology is a relatively new field of study in modern science. Its focus is on the identity of the "Self" -- the sense of individuality: the component parts that make up who one "is" and the meaning of the "whole" Self. This paper acts as a referenced for individuals unfamiliar with the general principles of social psychology. It aims to provide the reader with a basic overview of the field and to define key principles often used by social psychologists.

Discovering the Self

Self-Concept, Awareness, and Self-Schemas

Discovering the Self in social psychology can seem as simple as posing the question, "Who am I?" (Myers, 2010, p. 13). But answering the question is where the discovery of Self really begins. One's sense of identity, sense of self, sense of gender, race, categorical social grouping all factor into the answer. "Who am I?" raises the issue of self-concept, the totality…...

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Reference List

Aronson, E., Wilson, T., Akert, R. (2012). Social Psychology. NY: Pearson.

Hewitt, J.P. (2009). Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology. Oxford University

Press.

Jung, C. (1921). Psychological Types. Zurich: Rascher Verlag.

Each outside label has an affect on that individuals own conception of them, effectively rising or lowering self-image. These categories allow individuals of the same label to sometimes band together in order to further develop their own unique identities away from the labeling and discrimination from the larger group who may view them as abnormal, (Oxoby & McLeish, 2007: 13). Once inside a more specific group, these individuals have the capacity to flourish, and gain more and more self-esteem, (Handler, 1991: 223). However, when placed outside of these smaller groups into the larger population, this identity is once again viewed in a discriminatory manner, (Taylor & Moghaddam, 1994: 134). This occurs mainly due to the xenophobia each group portrays towards other groups, which then creates a hostile environment for the establishment of strong individual identities.
One way to examine the formations of deaf and queer identities using the Social Identity…...

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References

Adam, B. 2000. "Love and Sex in Constructing Identity Among Men Who Have Sex

With Men." International Journal of Sexuality and Gender Studies 5(4).

Barry, P. (2002). Lesbian and gay criticism. Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Bourdieu, P. & Passeron, J.-C. (1977) Reproduction in Education, Culture and Society,