identity – the fact of being who, or what, a person or thing is. 

A persons identity is made up from a lot of different a person or thing is. things; their qualities, beliefs, looks, expressions and personality. It’s who you are, what the world thinks of you, and what you think of yourself.

factors that can influence identity

 

PLACE & ENVIRONMENT 

Mood can be hugely determined by the environment surrounding us; the walls, furniture, streets and buildings that surround us. Yet often, the architecture surrounding us is often seen as frivolous, unimportant. If we walked into an “ugly” room we would be left with a sense of detachment and boredom; if we walked into a warm, colourful room filled with life, we would be left with a sense of happiness and joy, it would lift our mood, influencing our identity.

 “People have strained their backs carving flowers into their roof beams and their eyesight embroidering animals onto their tablecloths. They have given up weekends to hide unsightly cables behind ledges. They have thought carefully about appropriate kitchen work surfaces. They have imagined living in unattainably expensive houses pictured in magazines and then felt sad, as one does on passing an attractive stranger in a crowded street.”

 

UPBRINGING & FAMILY 

Children form their sense of self in the environment in which they’re brought up. The family, both the family members, and family dynamic play a massive role in shaping the identity of a child while they grow up into the age of adolescence and start to find themselves and become adults. The way the family interacts with one another, and how functional or dysfunctional the family is will shape a child’s identity, from their self-esteem and self-image, to their cultural and religious beliefs.

belonging – feeling a sense of welcome and acceptance. 

 

There is a lot of different aspects of ‘identity’

gender identity – gender identity can relate to someones own personal sense of their gender.

cultural identity – the identity or feeling of belonging to a group. related to ethnicity, religion, social class, and generation – any group that has its own distinct culture.

geographical identity – a group or individuals sense of attachment to the country, region or city. Can also be the key characteristics associated with a particular country, region or  city,

source: https://www.wikipedia.org/

social identity – social identity is the portion of an individuals self concept & personality that is influenced by a particular group that they’re in/take part with.

eg.

friendship groups

activity groups/voluntary

workplaces

loss of identity – when we lose our identity we often lose a sense of self; this can follow a change of workplace or education, it may also be caused my a mental illness or form of abuse.