AS Communication and Culture Identity Theories

Identity Theories

Here are some theories of identity, each identity describes a different perspective.

Cooley's 'looking glass' Theory(1992): 
Suggests that we see ourselves through the eyes of others and that we fulfil their expectations of us.


Cognitive Dissonance: 
Is when your positive view of yourself is contradicted by other people. Theorists suggest certain ways in which an individual may cope, which Gergen and Gergen call self-maintenance strategies; 

• Belittle the evidence
• Associate others who think like you do 
• Turn the negative into a positive
• Disbelieve
• Form a low opinion of the other person 
• Self-handicap or opt-out.

The Pygmalion Effect or Self-Fulfilling Prophecy:
 Suggests that we adapt our behaviour to fulfil the expectations of others.

Brown and Levison; Suggest the concept of Positive face needs, in that we consistently seek the approval of others in our interactions through a number of different strategies:

• Paying attention
• Seeking agreement (safe topics)
• Pretend agreement (white lies,hedging)
• Use humour
• Use appropriate address terms, compliments

Dimbleby and Burton (2006); 

See four key factors in the way we form our self-concept, three of which are linked to other people; the reactions of others: comparisons with others; identification with others.

More Theories of Identity:

The activities should have got you thinking about the Key concept of Identity. There are some theories which the activities illustrate.

Self Concept is a Key term which describes our idea of oursleves, how we see ourselves. (from previous lesson when we wrote "I am" statements, that is an example of expressing our self-concept)

The theorists Kuhn and McPartland (1954) divided this concept into Social Roles and Personality Traits, and they found that as we develop from children into adults we define ourselves more in terms of social roles than personality traits. Other theorists have noticed that modern society emphasises Physical attributes because of our society's focus on body image.

Rogers (1961): Identifies something he calls the "self image" which is how we see ourselves, and he sets this against what he calls the "ideal self", which is how we would like to be. He also introduces a third concept, which he terms "self-esteem" and this is defines as how we feel about the gap between self-image and ideal self.

Roger also describes identity using the concentric circles below; 

Roger sees the Levels of Superficiality increasing as we move out from the core self.