Identity

Definition

·         The set of behaviour or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable as a member of a group

·         The quality or condition of being the same as something else

·         The distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity; individuality

How do they contradict each other?

Critical Identity Theory

·         Is your identity created or does it evolve naturally?

·         How is identity formed?

·         Who or what influences your identity?

·         Are we born with our identities or do we acquire them along the way?

Katherine Hamley

Media Use in identity construction (2003)

·         The construction of a personal identity can be somewhat difficult/ problematic

·         Young people are surrounded by influential imagery

o   Eg – music videos/ magazine images – tell us how we’re meant to act, dress, look like etc

o   Soaps – Skins, Eastenders

o   Celebs

o   Social media

o   Fashion magazines

·         It is no longer possible for an identity to just be constructed in a small community and influenced by a family

·         Everything concerning our lives is ‘media saturated’ – everything we do is surrounded by the media and we’re constantly effected by it

o   Politics

o   News itself – global link – only way we get the news now

·         When constructing an identity, young people make use of imagery derived from popular media, she states that:

o   “It is becoming increasingly common for young children to have their own tv and music systems in their bedrooms whilst also having easy and frequent access to magazines especially aimed at the ‘developing’ child and or teenager”

o   “Such young people would also have a way of accessing the Internet, be it at school or sometimes at home. However, it is fair to say that in some instances the freedom of exploring the web could be limited depending on the choice of parents or teachers”

o   “If young people have such frequent access and an interest in the media, it is fair to say that their behaviour and their sense of belief will be influenced to some degree by what they see, read, hear or discover for themselves”

·         This can affect the way they behave, dress or the kind of music they may listen to

·         These are aspects which go together to construct a person’s own personal identity

o   Eg – fashion constantly changes – hipsters, emo, goths etc

§  More socially acceptable to be gay

§  “Cut for Bieber” – acting on their obsession

o   Changes that have affected ‘young peoples’ access to the media since then

§  Smart phones

§  Constant access to TV/ laptops and new media

§  Not as valid/ representative today

David Buckinham

Introducing Identity (2008)

·         Classifies identity as an ‘ambiguous and slippery’ term;

·         Identity is something unique to each of us, but also implies a relationship with a broader group;

·         Identity can change according to our circumstances

o   Location

o   People –old friends, new friends, new people

o   Money

o   Age

o   Social class

o   Relationships – marriage

o   Death

o   Social media

o   Catfish + girl who was three boys

o   Professional identity

o   Personal identity

·         Identity is fluid and affected by broader changes

·         Identity becomes more important to us if we feel it is threatened

David Gauntlett

Creative Explorations: New Approaches to Identities and Audiences (2007)

·         “Identity is complicated; everybody thinks they’ve got one”

·         Religious and national identities are at the heart of major international conflicts

·         The average teenager can create numerous identities in a short space of time (Especially using the internet, social networking sites, etc)

·         We like to think that we are unique, but Gauntlett questions whether this is an illusion, and we are all much more similar than we think -  can strip all of the things that make us individuals but as humans we are the same