chp 1; social identity

Question 1

What is identity essential for?

Answer 1

Understanding ourselves and how we relate to others

Question 2

What are the two main components of identity according to Sarah McLaughlin?

Answer 2

• Self-identity
• Social identity

Question 3

Define self-identity.

Answer 3

How we see ourselves, including ideas and feelings about who we are

Question 4

What are the two parts of the self according to Mead?

Answer 4

• The ‘me’
• The ‘I’

Question 5

What does the ‘me’ represent?

Answer 5

The public version of ourselves — how we present ourselves to others

Question 6

What does the ‘I’ represent?

Answer 6

Our private, inner self — the part only close friends and family really see

Question 7

True or False: The ‘me’ and ‘I’ can conflict.

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Define social identity.

Answer 8

How others see us, shaped by experiences of socialisation

Question 9

What are the sources of socialisation?

Answer 9

• Family
• Peer group
• Education
• Religion
• Workplace

Question 10

Through socialisation, what do we learn?

Answer 10

Expected behaviours for various roles

Question 11

What is the Structuralist Approach to identity?

Answer 11

Believes identity is shaped by larger social forces like class, gender, ethnicity, religion, and nationality

Question 12

What do Structuralist theorists argue about identity?

Answer 12

Institutions like family, education, religion, and work influence our identity

Question 13

What does the Social Action Approach emphasize?

Answer 13

Identity as more individual and based on personal choices

Question 14

Who believes we ‘perform’ our identities?

Answer 14

Erving Goffman

Question 15

What does the Structuration Approach focus on?

Answer 15

The interplay between structure (society) and agency (individual choice)

Question 16

What term does Giddens use to describe people reflecting on how others see them?

Answer 16

Reflexive

Question 17

According to Bauman, how is identity shaped in today’s consumer society?

Answer 17

People can choose their identity more freely, but wealthier people have more options

Question 18

List some factors that limit identity.

Answer 18

• Economy
• Family
• Education
• Laws
• Culture

Question 19

Define subcultures.

Answer 19

Smaller cultural groups within the larger society with their own values and customs

Question 20

What influences subcultures?

Answer 20

• Social class
• Ethnicity
• Religion
• Nationality
• Gender
• Age
• Globalisation

Question 21

How do subcultures shape identity?

Answer 21

By offering different perspectives, lifestyles, and practices

Question 22

What are the four distinct socio-economic groups identified in capitalist societies?

Answer 22

• The Bourgeoisie or Capitalist Class
• The Middle Class
• The Working Class
• The Unskilled Class or ‘Underclass’

Question 23

What characterizes the Bourgeoisie or Capitalist Class?

Answer 23

Owns the means of production and profits from capitalism

Also known as the ‘Super-rich’ in the USA and ‘Upper class’ in Europe

Question 24

What are the primary sources of wealth for the Bourgeoisie?

Answer 24

• Business ownership
• Inherited land
• Royal/aristocratic status
• Entertainment/sports
• Corruption

Question 25

What lifestyle characteristics are associated with the Bourgeoisie?

Answer 25

* Lavish lifestyles (e.g. yachts, luxury cars, designer brands) * Great political power * Control of ideological power * Value high culture

Question 26

How does the Bourgeoisie practice social closure?

Answer 26

Encourages marriage within the same class to preserve wealth

Question 27

What defines the Middle Class?

Answer 27

Composed of professionals managing capitalism on behalf of the bourgeoisie

Question 28

What are key identity characteristics of the Middle Class?

Answer 28

* High incomes * Job security * Authority over workers * Value home ownership, thrift, ambition

Question 29

What educational experiences do members of the Middle Class typically share?

Answer 29

* University education * Career-based training

Question 30

What is the identity of the Working Class also known as?

Answer 30

The proletariat

Question 31

What are the identity characteristics of the Working Class?

Answer 31

* Performs manual or blue-collar labour * Strong collectivist identity * High class consciousness

Question 32

What aspects contribute to a community-based identity in the Working Class?

Answer 32

* Local football clubs * Pubs * Neighbourhood groups

Question 33

What do Pakulski & Waters (1996) argue about working-class identity?

Answer 33

It is under threat due to global capitalism

Question 34

What factors contribute to the decline of working-class collectivism?

Answer 34

* Deindustrialisation * Unemployment leading to individualism

Question 35

What is the Precariat?

Answer 35

A new class identity formed due to unstable work

Question 36

Who typically makes up the Precariat?

Answer 36

* Formerly skilled workers in insecure jobs * Frequently unemployed or in casual jobs

Question 37

What challenges do educated youth face in the context of the Precariat?

Answer 37

Forced into unstable jobs, denied stable careers

Question 38

What global examples illustrate the challenges faced by the Precariat?

Answer 38

* Young women and children in developing countries working in sweatshops * Dalits (Untouchables) in India performing low-status jobs