Who Am I, Really?
I’m not just your vibe or your mood, I’m the set of meanings that define who you are.
What is an identity?
You thought you “just happened” to hang out with certain people? Nope. Social structures organize people based on these.
What are social categories?
When someone defines themselves as a student, a first-generation college graduate, or a working professional, they are expressing this type of identity.
What is a social identity?
These identities are the meanings attached to the roles people occupy in society.
What are role identities?
You bring confidence and your student ID to class. According to the slides, anything that sustains your identity and interaction in a social structure is called this.
What are resources?
When you say “I’m caring” and then actually show empathy and support others, your behavior is being guided by these.
What are identity meanings?
Schools increase the likelihood that people form these by bringing large groups together in one setting.
What are social ties (or social relationships)?
Social categories stratify society, and a person’s position in them often influences this.
What is how they are treated by others?
An athlete who values discipline and teamwork is expressing the meanings attached to this type of identity.
What is a role identity?
A student uses study groups, grades, and textbooks to prove they’re a “good student.” In the slides, these tools help them do this.
What is verify their identity?
Compassionate. Generous. Competent. These are examples of this type of identity tied to your unique qualities.
What is a person identity?
Where identity really starts to feel real — among family, friends, coworkers, and peers — this level of structure reinforces who you think you are.
What is the proximal social structure?
You may identify as a sibling, but within your family, you become known as “the responsible one.” That shared meaning formed through interaction is this type of identity.
What is a group identity?
A volunteer who prioritizes community service is acting based on these attached to their role.
What are identity meanings?
A person leverages their social status, prestige, and capital to gain influence in an organization. These are examples of this type of resource.
What are structural resources?
You think you’re helpful. Your classmates agree. That satisfying “Yes, that’s me!” feeling is the result of this process.
What is identity verification?
A professor carefully prepares lectures, gives detailed feedback, and stays available to students. These behaviors aren’t random — they’re shaped by the higher education structure reinforcing this specific role identity.
What is the instructor identity?
Within a friend group, someone becomes known as “the planner” because everyone relies on them to organize events. This meaning, reinforced through ongoing interaction, is this type of identity.
What is a group identity?
When a coach’s performance aligns with how they define themselves in that role, they experience this feeling.
What is feeling competent?
You feel authentic, capable, and worthy in a group setting. These beliefs about yourself are examples of this type of resource.
What are personal resources?
You believe you’re helpful, but your classmates ignore your efforts. If you start questioning or adjusting how you see yourself, you’re engaging in this process.
What is identity verification?
In class, you’re asked to create an identity poster. You must describe one expectation — like raising your hand before speaking — that shapes how people behave in school. This type of guideline within a structure is called this.
What is a rule, norm, or expectation?
You finally find “your people” on campus. You feel seen, connected, and like you actually matter. According to the slides, social and group identities provide this feeling that boosts self-worth.
What is a sense of belonging?
A mentor who believes they are supportive ensures their actions reflect that belief. When their behavior aligns with that identity meaning, they confirm this aspect of their self-view.
What is competence (in the role identity)?
A fancy laptop isn’t automatically powerful. It only becomes a resource if people see it as helpful for succeeding in class. According to the slides, a resource becomes actual when it is viewed as this.
What is useful?