Test

Question 1

What does self-identity refer to?

Answer 1

How people perceive, construct, and understand who they are.

Question 2

What is the old vs new view of self-identity?

Answer 2

Psychology previously saw identity as relatively stable (e.g traits, cognitive schemas) vs Newer approaches (narrative, cultural, phenomenological) see identity as dynamic, relational, and context-dependent.

Question 3

What four challenges to identity does technology present?

Answer 3

Fragmented online selves
Algorithmic shaping
Disembodiment
Perfection pressure

Question 4

Explain fragmented online selves.

Answer 4

People present different versions across platforms.

Identity becomes performative and harder to unify.

Question 5

Explain algorithmic shaping.

Answer 5

Platforms push content that influences how people behave and see themselves.

Data patterns start to define identity.

Question 6

Explain disembodiment.

Answer 6

Online interactions ignore physical presence.

The body becomes less central to identity, affecting emotional connection.

Question 7

Explain perfection pressure.

Answer 7

Users compare themselves to curated, filtered images.

This can harm self-esteem and cause identity anxiety.

Question 8

What are the three critiques/challenges?

Answer 8

Tech isn’t all bad. People explore, experiment, and express identity online.

Online self-presentation can help people find community.

The real issue is the imbalance. When performance and platform feedback replace reflection and embodied experience.

Question 9

What are the four new kinds of selves?

Answer 9

Saturated self
Algorithmic identity
Minimal self
Performance-based self

Question 10

Explain the saturated self.

Answer 10

People adopt too many roles across media. This leaves an overwhelmed and fragmented identity.

Question 11

Explain algorithmic identity.

Answer 11

Your identity is shaped by what platforms think you’ll like. Built from your clicks, not your personality.

Question 12

Explain minimal self.

Answer 12

The basic, embodied feeling of ‘being me’ gets disrupted in online spaces.

Question 13

Explain performance-based self.

Answer 13

Online identity becomes something to manage, edit, and sell, not something authentic or stable.

Question 14

What are the key references for this essay?

Answer 14

Gergen, 1991
Chenney-Lippold, 2011
Gallagher, 2000
Turkle, 2011
Boyd, 2014

Question 15

What does Gergen, 1991 state and why is it relevant?

Answer 15

Too many roles = fragmented identity.

Question 16

What does Chenney-Lippold, 2011 state and why is it relevant?

Answer 16

Algorithms shape identity based on data patterns.

Question 17

What does Gallagher, 2000 state and why is it relevant?

Answer 17

Embodied self is essential but neglected in online spaces -> philosophical.

Question 18

What does Turkle, 2011 state and why is it relevant?

Answer 18

Online identity is performative; people are managing impressions more than connecting.

Question 19

What does Boyd, 2014 state and why is it relevant?

Answer 19

Teenagers use tech to experiment with identity. Not all outcomes are negative.

Question 20

How should the intro be approached?

Answer 20

Define self-identity
Degine technology in this context
Frame problem
Thesis statement

Question 21

What topics are approached in para 1?

Answer 21

Fragmented selves across platforms.

Question 22

What is the point of para 1: fragmented selves across platforms?

Answer 22

People present differently versions of themselves online, which makes identity more fragmented and harder to unify.

Question 23

What is the theory/application of para 1: fragmented selves across platforms?

Answer 23

Social media encourages role-switching and curation.

We ‘edit’ who we are for specific platform.

Question 24

What is the key study of para 1: fragmented selves across platforms?

Answer 24

Gergen, 1991 - ‘saturated self’ = modern individuals are shaped by multiple, often conflicting roles and media inputs.

Question 25

What are the critiques/limitations for para 1: fragmented selves across platforms?

Answer 25

Exploration can be empowering (e.g. LGBTQ+ youth finding safe online spaces). But for many, it increases pressure to manage a public-facing 'brand'.

Question 26

What topics are approached in para 2?

Answer 26

Algorithmic shaping of identity.

Question 27

What is the point of para 2: algorithmic shaping of identity?

Answer 27

Technology doesn't just mirror identity - it shapes it, via content suggestions and feedback loops.

Question 28

What is the theory/appliaction of para 2: algorithmic shaping of identity?

Answer 28

Platforms learn from behaviour and reward certain content (e.g. likes, visibility). Users start adapting to what performs well.

Question 29

What is the key study of para 2: algorithmic shaping of identity?

Answer 29

Chenney-Lippold, 2011 - 'algorithmic identity' is built from data = users become who platforms think they are, based on their digital footprint.

Question 30

What are the critiques/limitations of para 2: algorithmic shaping of identity?

Answer 30

Can entrench stereotypes (e.g. racial profiling in ad targeting). Encourages conformity, limiting authentic self-development.

Question 31

What topics are approached in para 3?

Answer 31

Loss of embodied identity.

Question 32

What is the point of para 3: loss of embodied identity?

Answer 32

Digital interactions often exclude physical presence, which is essential to experiencing selfhood.

Question 33

What is the theory/application of para 3: loss of embodied identity?

Answer 33

Online, we lose eye contact, gesture, and spatial awareness. Identity becomes more cognitive or visual, less sensory and emotional.

Question 34

What is the key study of para 3: loss of embodied identity?

Answer 34

Gallagher (2000) - introduces the 'minimal self' = the basic embodied sense of self that is disrupted in tech-heavy environments.

Question 35

What are the critiques/limitations of para 3: loss of embodied identity?

Answer 35

Digital platforms help people with anxiety or mobility issues engage socially. But the long-term effects of disembodiment on emotion regulation and identity coherence are under-researched.

Question 36

What are the topics approached in para 4?

Answer 36

Performance pressure and identity anxiety.

Question 37

What is the point of para 4: performance pressure and identity?

Answer 37

Constant visibility and comparison online can lead to anxiety and a sense that identity is always being judged or 'liked'.

Question 38

What is the theory/application of para 4: performance pressure and identity?

Answer 38

Self-worth becomes tied to feedback (likes, follows). Creates perfectionism, shame, and instability.

Question 39

What is the key study of para 4: performance pressure and identity?

Answer 39

Turkle, 2011 - people now manage identity like performance, losing connection to internal values or emotions.

Question 40

What are the critiques/limitations of para 4: performance pressure and identity?

Answer 40

Online spaces can give people confidence and creative freedom. But pressure to maintain a likeable identity undermines self-acceptance.

Question 41

How should the conclusion be approached?

Answer 41

Reaffirm thesis Recap key points Emphasise Psychology's challenge