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30 Examples of Identity

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Identity are the characteristics that you believe define you as an individual. This can include characteristics of yourself and your perceived membership in social groups. The following are illustrative examples of identity.

Individualism

The belief that you are an independent person who is defined by your own qualities as opposed to your memberships in groups. Individualists tend to identify with other individualists and aspects of society and culture that are individualistic.

Family

Your immediate and extended family.

Friends

Identifying with your friends and social circles.

Language

Language is the foundation of thinking and is an extremely pervasive element of identity. This may not be obvious when you are surrounded by your native language but becomes apparent when you're immersed in a foreign language. For example, if you go on vacation in Tokyo but don't speak Japanese you may suddenly strongly identify with anyone who can speak English.

Philosophy

Identifying with a way of thinking about the universe such as pragmatism.

Personality

Elements of your personality that you feel define you or give you things in common with others. For example, an optimist who identifies with other optimists.

Religion

On a global basis, around 86% of the world's population belong to a religion.

Race

The perception that there are groups that have related genetic ancestry that are labeled with broad terms such as "Asian."

Ethnicity

A shared background such as nationality or culture.

Nationality

Belonging to a nation.

Birthplace

A hometown or nation where you were born.

Culture

Culture is identity based on shared experiences and traditions. This exists at many levels such as national culture, subculture and super culture.

Community

Identity based on a sense of place such as your hometown or neighborhood.

Disability

A sense of solidarity or connection to the disability community.

Class

Socioeconomic class such as working class or middle class.

Social Status

Elements of social status such as appearance, wealth, style, personal presence and youthfulness.

Consumer Culture

It is common for products and services to attempt to sell elements of identity such as social status or peak experiences. For example, an individual who views a collection of shoes as an element of their identity.

Politics

Political views and affinity for a political party. Some nations are sharply divided along political lines such that this becomes a pervasive part of identity.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle such as an urban or rural way of living.

Gender

Masculine and feminine characteristics.

Sexual Orientation

The gender or genders to which an individual is attracted.

Profession

Your profession such as Engineer or Artist.

Hobbies

Hobbies such as someone who strongly identifies as a surfer.

Memberships

Memberships such as a student who belongs to a university.

Accomplishments

Accomplishments such as graduating from university.

Media

Identifying with people you've never met and fictional characters. For example, identifying with a hero of film such that you view yourself as having similar qualities or aspirations.

Experiences

Experiencing something can cause you to identify with it. For example, playing hockey can cause an individual to identify with the sport.

Concept

Identifying with a concept such as freedom.

Creative Expression

Identifying with creative expressions such as art or music that captures how you feel.

Digital Identity

The ability to assume an identity in digital environments that may differ from your own. For example, the ability to become a character in a game that somehow feels part of your actual identity.

Types of Identity

The following are common types of identity.

Summary

Identity includes your personal identity related to your characteristics and your social identity related to your group memberships.
Overview: Identity
Type
Definition
The characteristics that you believe define you as an individual.
Related Concepts
Next: Personal Identity
More about identity:
Collectivism
Concept
Consumer Culture
Culture
Elite
Freedom
Identity Crisis
Individualism
Language
Lifestyle
Media
Middle Class
Optimism
Peak Experiences
Personal Identity
Philosophy
Self-Concept
Shared Experiences
Social Data
Social Identity
Social Location
Social Status
Society
Traditions
Unity In Diversity
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References

WIN-Gallup International. "Global index of religion and atheism." Press release (2012).

Social Behavior

An overview of social behavior.

Social Development

An overview of social development with examples.

Passive Aggressive

An overview of passive aggressive behavior and communication with examples.

Difficult Behaviors

A list of difficult behaviors.

Social Space

An overview of social spaces with examples.

People

A list of character traits and character archetypes.

Behavior Learning

An overview of behavior learning with examples.

Group Behavior

A list of common group behaviors.

Social Contagion

The definition of social contagion with examples.

Group Dynamics

An overview of group dynamics with examples.

Bandwagon Effect

An overview of the bandwagon effect with examples.

Relationships

An overview of relationships with examples.

Community Behavior

An overview of community behavior with examples.

Reality

The definition of reality with examples.

Context Examples

An overview of context with examples.

Optimistic Drift

An overview of optimistic drift.

Social Imagination

An overview of social imagination with examples.
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