...Construction of Identity and Worldview: The Influence of Social Variables The meaning of human identity is vast and complex. Identity, for our purposes, is in part a derivation of an inseparable piece of one’s consciousness, and largely an assembly of attitudes, behaviors, values, and beliefs collected and learned during a lifetime. Individual identity, as the centerpiece of an individual’s place in society, is the mechanism through which worldviews are shaped. Identity may seem a nonessential study of little consequence in comparison to more explicit and trenchant topics, but actually is very consequential. Identities and worldviews are, after all, what have defined and created our reality as we know it. Movements toward social equality and political progressiveness have been born as a result of identities and worldviews differing from that of the collective. To study the social variables that mold identity and construct worldview is to study how our species has created our reality. Learning about the way identities and worldviews are shaped is the first step necessary in altering the formation of those identities and worldviews in order to change our thinking; to create a better and more equal reality. In some cases, such as my own, the formation of an individual’s identity is influenced by a collection of social variables typical of those within their society, as well as variables considered atypical. An absence of organized religion, Caucasian racial categorization, a culture...
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...Question: The formation of Identity is shaped by many circumstances. How is this explored in your prescribed text and one other related text of your own choosing? One’s initial identity is significantly nurtured by family ideals and beliefs in conjunction with the sheltered environment in which they are raised. However, we are all apt to be considerably shaped by society’s social and cultural influences. Consequently, our identities are a comprehensive construct of society’s values and one’s ethnic background in addition to our occupational duties and interactions with others. In Shakespeare’s ‘Othello,’ and the film, “To Sir with Love,” the identities of the key characters are shown to be a constitute of such circumstances with a particular focus on the influence of relationships. In Shakespeare’s ‘Othello,’ the discriminative attitude of Venetian society towards people of black ethnicity is presented as a significant influential factor in the shaping of Othello’s identity. This is explored through the use language in which Othello is repeatedly referred to as the “Moor” and by the derogatory terms “thick-lips” and a “Barbary horse.” Othello’s black exterior denotes to his position as a ‘outsider’ and therefore his marriage to Desdemona, a white woman is considered unfathomable, “If she in chains of magic were not bound, whether a maid so tender, fair and happy, so opposite to marriage that she shunn’d,” Contrastingly, Othello’s elevated status in Venetian society, reflected...
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...The main things that shaped my thinking in regards to “person” it would consist of three main structures of thinking my biological make-up, cultural identity and soci-cultural factors. With these three main or morally important structures, is what determines the person’s characteristics, ethical attributes, physical and health status, race and gender, religion, citizen and social economics status, education and etc. With these three categories we focus on what builds that person rather than judging there skin tone. What define me; Jodi-Ann Lawrence as a person how does my biological make-up, cultural identity and soci-cultural factors disguises me from the human race. By using the three main structure mention above; biological make-up, cultural identity and soci-cultural factors you would get to know the foundation that makes up the person of Jodi-Ann Lawrence; the norm of society would look at me as a “nigger”(black) based on my skin complexion, rather than judge me on the three structures that up a person . The Biological Make-up When you look at me the first thing you see my skin color, black, my nappy think hair, a thick woman (fat), however, this doesn’t define me. There are many layers to me. I am the first born child, to my mother and last born to my father; as well as the only girl and the only child between my parents. On the other hand, I have two half-brothers one older than the other younger. According to American Dietary and Nutrition Association, I’m considered...
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...Following a particular ideology can close the mind to new ideas; however it depends on which ideology it is and how much you let it affect you. In regards to certain political or religious views (example of the Westboro Baptist Church), I feel that it definitely closes new doors and spreads hatred, especially when it is taken into such an extreme context. The KKK held the ideology of white supremacy; this ideology refuses to allow any other race to be equivalent to the white race and spreads hatred from its people to everyone of color. Some nationalistic ideologies also close doors to new ideas and lead to hatred, I feel that any ideology that shares a thinking of "we are better than them" whoever "they" may be, leads to hatred. Most individualistic ideologies can lead to hatred if taken to an extreme, however it depends on how much the person is willing to let that ideology influence them. However, like Celina said, there are also ideologies that allow for more open views and lead to a sense of belonging. A belief in multiculturalism leads to more open ideas being shared through different people all throughout the world, and a sense of equality among those people. The most recent example I’ve seen of an ideology bringing people together is the protests that are currently happening in Nigeria. This is a form of collectivism as the Nigerian people have joined together to cause a change and cause greater equality amongst all people in Nigeria by protesting against their government...
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...four and Sourdi carried her across a minefield on her back. Ever since that moment, Nea has felt indebted to her older sister and has been determined to protect her at all costs. However, the costs seem to be high as her identity has become tied to this notion of debt. In May-Lee Chai's "Saving Sourdi," Nea's identity is shaped by her feeling of indebtedness to her sister Sourdi, which compromises her ability to grow and objectively see the world. The cause behind the story's central conflict lies in Nea's devotion to Sourdi, which in turn was caused by a distant memory. "Once upon a time", Nea recalls, "Sourdi had walked across a minefield, carrying me on her back" (Chai 140). With the terrible war background on the Khmer Rouge-era in Cambodia as an exposition, Nea recalls her sister Sourdi carrying her across a field by stepping on countless dead bodies to avoid the mines. This is something that Nea views as secret between just her and her sister, one she will never reveal to another soul. It is because of this single incident that Nea vows to "walk on bones" and "rotting flesh" to "save Sourdi," which itself foreshadows events to come (Chai 140). It is this event that defines Nea and motivates her actions throughout the story. It is because Nea's identity is derived from this debt to her older sister that causes Nea to respond in such a haphazard manner. Not only do her responses create tension in the story, but they further develop Nea as a...
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...a process of identity construction, a process that is based not only on what they think about themselves, but also on the social representations. This is the period of human development in which time dedicated to music and listening to music is at its peak and identity is hesitant, flexible, and shaped by multiple means of communication, as contemporary hip hop music. In this context, it is notable that contemporary hip hop is the favorite genre between adolescents at Omni Middle School. Adolescence is an important phase in the process of reaffirming personal identity, psychosocial identity and sexual identity. Identity is understood...
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...Gay, and Bisexual Development differs from its peer theories in sexual identity development in that it is not a linear theory. Most other theories talk about phases that people transition through. Individuals are unable to move onto the next phase until they have completed the former. It is my belief that people do not move in a linear fashion through identity phases and that instead they reach them at their own time, especially when it comes to sexual identity development. D’Augelli believed that the development of sexual identity could be a life-long process and as such that many changes happen over time. This theory taps into a concept called “developmental plasticity” which revolves around human responsiveness to environmental and biological changes. In 1994, D’Augelli’s theory was presented. It borrows much from the life span model meaning that “identity is a ‘social construction,’ shaped by varying degrees by social circumstances and environment and changeable throughout life” (Evans, et. al, 2010, p. 315). This type of timeline leaves room for individuals to move through the stages at their own pace. The theory has three variables that are involved first in identity formation. The three are personal subjectivities and actions, interactive intimacies, and sociohistorical connections. Personal subjectivities and actions ties to how individuals perceive and feel about their sexual identities; Interactive intimacies includes how family, peers, significant others...
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...pondering about way that I would describe myself, I would usually come up with physical attributes and personality traits to portray who I am. While thinking deeper into my true identity, I see more broad aspects as well as social constructions that have made me who I am today. Due to social construction and the culture that I have been brought up in, I would describe myself physically and share the things that I do in my life. I was raised in a place where everyone around me was similar and if they were of a different color, gender or sexual preference I shouldn’t and wouldn’t look at the differences in them. When taking a step back and looking at the differences between other’s identities and my own, I see that I am a Caucasian female. I am an upper-middle class American but I come from French and German decent. I come from different decent, however myself and my family will always identify with American because ourselves and our grandparents were all born here in the United States. I am heterosexual and I have identified as a female athlete most of my child and adolescent life. I was raised going to Catholic Church so I identify as somewhat religious and attend a highly respected university so I am identifiable as student as well. These words that I use to describe myself show the differences between my upbringing and other cultures. I grew up in a pretty well-off family and in a nice area of a small town. As I grew up, the only language that I ever became familiar with...
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...Although the Holocaust took place almost half a century ago, it still leaves behind profound repercussions not only on its direct survivors, but also on their descendants – the second generation. In her book The Generation of Postmemory: Writing and Visual Culture after the Holocaust, Marianne Hirsch coins the term “postmemory” to describe how parents can pass on their traumatic memories to their children, and how these memories consequently become an integral part of their lives and their identities. Indeed, biographies and psychoanalytical research have proven that many descendants of Holocaust survivors display psychological symptoms similar to those of their parents, despite the fact that they were born many years after the Holocaust. Although many critics insist that postmemory does not qualify as actual memory because the children have not lived through the Holocaust themselves, postmemory is indeed a legitimate form of memory. Furthermore, when compared to memory, postmemory is equally traumatizing and painful. Although postmemory is a frequent theme in many works from and on the second generation, its validity is still debated. Hirsch first defines the term as the relationship between the second generation and the memories they inherit from their parents by means of stories, images and behaviors among which they grew up. Karein Goertz, in her essay “Transgenerational Representations of the Holocaust: From Memory to ‘Post-Memory’” also describes postmemory as “a hybrid...
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...Synthesis *Disclaimer: the views represented in the synthesis essay may not necessarily represent my personal opinions (I won’t write this disclaimer on the AP test). To live a meaningful life is awfully vague, for it can mean a life of happiness, of financial superiority, and of success. But the reason behind why the definition remains vague is clear: we become too obsessed with external factors and often forget ourselves--our character and our individuality. Thus, the prospect of a meaningful life continues to run away from us as we grow jealous of others who have more resources than we. To live a truly meaningful life that embraces both controllable and uncontrollable factors, we must resist trying to please others by avoiding the tendency...
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...‘Swallow The Air’ written by Tara June Winch and ‘The Thing Around Your Neck’ written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie break the inhibitions of vulnerability, as their ideas represented through cultural contexts and values, lead to an overall self-discovery. Tara June Winch’s ‘Swallow The Air’, explores the idea of vulnerability as a barrier to self-discovery. The protagonist, May Gibson, of mixed descent, lives in a dysfunctional and low socioeconomic family with her brother and mother. The sudden suicide of May’s mother ultimately shook her to the core, “When mum left I stopped being Aboriginal, I stopped feeling like I belonged. Anywhere” May’s stream of consciousness expresses her immediate loss of security present in both her culture and identity. Winch correlates May’s inner turmoil through the recurring motif of the Mingi turtle, whose hard exterior is displayed to protect the interior. The symbolic nature represents the vulnerability of youth, something May herself finds all too familiar within her lifestyle. A pivotal moment in the novel was the sexual violation of May from an indecent white man, leaving her inferior to the whites and unsure of her acceptance in society, through the derogatory language “This gunna show ya where ya don’t belong dumb black bitch”. The degradation of both females and aboriginals lead to the people around her imposing their conclusive thoughts that ultimately do not grant May the choice to discover herself. She is instead limited by racism to isolate...
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...ASSESSMENT 2: CASE STUDY ON INDUSTRIALISATION AND CONSUMPTION Introduction Modernity is a transition between how society lived years ago opposed to how society lives now. This case study will focus on the impact of industrialisation and consumption and how it has shaped the modern world of a close friend along with society today. The academic sources that were used contained useful information along with an interview I conducted, to help prove and analyse how the impact has changed and shaped the modern world. This case study will cover the way industrialisation has changed society. It will discuss the social, economical and technological changes along with the key changes and how society perceives what work is. In addition it will discuss how society has gone from producing to consuming, how we shopped years ago opposed to now and how this has changed our lives. Literature Review Industrialisation: Industrialisation has transformed the way societies have produced products required to meet societies needs. It has transformed many social institutions such as work, family, social bonds and education. In addition the biggest impact of industrialisation was the change from gathering and cultivating to manufacturing which has drastically improved productivity and wealth. The major social, economic and technological change was the Industrial Revolution between the 1760’s and 1850’s in Great Britain, spreading through Europe, United States, Japan and Australia...
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...Theory Paper Holistic, CBT and Spritual Theory Approach Introduction Client’s are expecting that counselors will treat their spiritual concers, as a result many mental health professionals are now considering the healing potential of a holistic view of mind, body, and spirit when it is incorporated into the therapeutic process (Morrison, Clutter, Pritchett & Demmitt, 2009). Learning a clients spiritual history, faith preferences, and commitments is a critical assessment priority (Greggo & Lawrence, 2012). As a counselor I find it very important to focus on the clients behaviors, thoughts and spiritual needs. I would address the clients thoughts and behaviors by using pieces of Adlerian therapy while using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help the client learn new behaviors. I also find it important to address the clients spiriautal needs and how beliefs play a role in their treatment. When working in a secultar setting, I believe it is hard for counselors to know the best way to incorporate a clients spiritual delimas and needs while working in a therapeutic environment. I personally value and prefer this particular cognitive-behavioral orientation because I believe that it helps the client focus on the therapy as a learning process. The client learns new ways to cope with problems more effectively. Cognitive-behavioral theory stresses the role of thinking, deciding, questioning, doing, and re-deciding (put in own words) I chose CBT because it is the...
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...Puerto Rico. As we go into the book, there are some key aspects of identity that are played in Esmeralda’s family and herself. One aspect of identity is the socioeconomic status of her and her family in the big, well known dynamic city of New York. This aspect of identity is a big concern throughout the book and in real life because it’s what most immigrants have to deal with from their movement from their native country to a foreign country. Socioeconomics is the social science that studies how economic activity affects and is shaped by social processes. In general it analyzes how societies progress, stagnate, or regress because of their local or regional economy, or the global economy. This is a monumental matter for Esmeralda as she is a middle school student going onto high school and as everyone knows, high school can be four years of highlight or four years of straight torture and since she’s an immigrant with no knowledge of American culture, this is a big concern for Esmeralda. Esmeralda, coming to America at a young age, is flustered with emotions and doesn’t have anyone to talk to because she is limited with who she has. She has her siblings, but she can’t relate to them because they’re too young, and she has her mother and grandmother, whom she can’t relate to because they lived in a different generation and grew up in a different country but Esmeralda is starting fresh and is at her prime stage of life where everything is a make or break for her self-esteem and confidence...
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...quiet. My family and I had our bags packed, our entire life squeezed into six suitcases and three backpacks. Other than each other and our UN representative in Turkey, not a soul in the world knew we were leaving our apartment in Tehran that night. Being believers of the Baha'i Faith under a regime governed by religious extremists meant receiving phone calls from officials with death threats almost every night. It was time we escaped. As a seven-year-old boy, I couldn't understand much, but I knew that it was the lack of justice – fairness – that had taken us to this point. The interplay of justice and injustice, oppressors and those who protect human dignity, human rights and the lack...
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