What Influences Our Social Identity?
Overview
Who are you? Ask anyone and the answer comes back in social terms: their age, their gender, where their family comes from, the kind of work they do. These are not just labels. They shape how others see us, what doors open or close, and even how we see ourselves. Sociology calls these the aspects of social identity, and this topic asks how powerfully each one influences a person's life.
Here you will examine the four key aspects, age, gender, ethnicity and social class, and see how their impact differs from one society to another, so that the same characteristic can open or limit opportunities depending on where you live. You will then turn to a force that did not exist for previous generations: social networks, social media and virtual communities, and the way they can both enrich and damage our sense of who we are.
Objectives
- Key aspects of social identity: age, gender, ethnicity, social class.
- Impact of each aspect on individuals and social groups in different societies.
- Positive and negative impacts of social networks, social media and virtual communities on identity.
Audio Lesson
Listen to this lesson in the app
Mind map
This topic is mapped out so you can see how the ideas connect.
Open the mind map in the app
Flashcards
Quick recall practice on the facts this topic is tested on.
Practise these cards in the app
Lesson Note
Complete Note Available on the Green Bridge App
Get the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer for the complete IGCSE library: past papers, mark schemes, mind maps, flashcards and audio lessons.
Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on What Influences Our Social Identity?. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- A person's opportunities for things like good health, education and income are known as their: A. social class B. life chances C. social identity D. status set Answer: B
- Ethnicity is best defined as belonging to a group that shares: A. the same income level B. the same age group C. a common culture and heritage D. the same occupation Answer: C
- Which of the following is a positive impact of social media on identity? A. Cyberbullying B. Comparison with edited images C. Finding a community that shares your interests D. Online shaming Answer: C
- The idea that gender is shaped by society rather than fixed by biology is called: A. social construction B. canalisation C. ascription D. stratification Answer: A
- Social class is based mainly on a person's: A. age and gender B. occupation, income and wealth C. ethnicity and religion D. online following Answer: B
Work through these questions in the app
Work through these questions in the app
Recommended Books
Further learning from open sources
-
Textbook section
Gender
Explain the influence of socialization on gender roles in the United States
"Introduction to Sociology 2e: Gender" by OpenStax, OpenStax, Rice University, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-2e/pages/12-2-gender. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-2e/pages/1-introduction
-
Textbook section
Media and Technology in Society
Describe the evolution and current role of different media, like newspapers, television, and new media
"Introduction to Sociology 2e: Media and Technology in Society" by OpenStax, OpenStax, Rice University, licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-2e/pages/8-2-media-and-technology-in-society. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-2e/pages/1-introduction
Published by other organisations under open licences, credited as they ask. Links open their websites.
Practice Mock Questions
Want to practice mock questions on What Influences Our Social Identity?? Download the Green Bridge CBT app to access mock questions and full practice assessments for this topic.
Download The App On Google Playstore
Everything you need to excel in your exams
