Identity Essay What is Personal Identity

There are many different aspects to our identity, such as our nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, etc. And each of these aspects contributes to who we are as individuals. In this essay, we will explore the concept of identity in-depth and discuss why it is such an important issue. What defines identity? Most people associate an identity with the physical traits that make them unique individuals, such as their appearance, voice, and mannerisms; however, identity is much more than just what we look like on the outside. It also encompasses our beliefs, values, and opinions. As infants, we are born with a basic sense of self. This is called "primary narcissism", and it helps us to survive. We develop secondary narcissism when we start to realize that we are separate from others and that we have our own needs and wants.

This usually happens during the toddler years. During childhood and adolescence, we continue to develop our sense of self. Theories of Identity There are a number of different theories that attempt to explain how we form our identities. One popular theory is known as Social Identity Theory, which suggests that we develop our sense of self by identifying with various social groups. For example, we might identify as being part of a certain religion or political party. This theory helps to explain why people are often so passionate about their beliefs and why they may be reluctant to change them, even when presented with new information. Another theory is known as Self-Categorization Theory, which suggests that we view ourselves in terms of the groups we belong to.

We might choose to focus on one particular aspect of our identities, such as our religion or political beliefs. -Ego integrity vs. despair: This is the stage where we reflect on our lives and assess whether we are happy with who we are and what we have accomplished. There are also several theories of identity that attempt to explain how we form our identities and how they change over time. These include: -The looking glass self, which posits that we form our identities based on how we think others see us -Social constructionism, which states that our identities are shaped by the societies we live in -Psychosocial development, which suggests that our sense of self develops as we go through different stages in life Regardless of which theory you subscribe to, it's clear that identity is an important part of who we are and how we see ourselves in the world.