Identity
49 flashcards covering Identity for the MCAT Chem / Phys / Psych / Soc section.
Identity is a core concept in psychology and sociology that refers to how individuals and groups define themselves through personal traits, experiences, and social roles. It includes elements like self-concept, which encompasses one's unique characteristics and life story, as well as social identity, shaped by factors such as culture, gender, race, and group memberships. This multifaceted idea helps explain human behavior, social interactions, and even health outcomes, making it essential for understanding the complexities of human development and society.
On the MCAT, identity frequently appears in the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations section, often through passage-based questions that test theories like Erikson's stages of psychosocial development or the impact of identity on behavior and health disparities. Common traps include confusing identity with related concepts like self-esteem or overlooking contextual influences, such as cultural biases. Focus on integrating identity with topics like social cognition and group dynamics to answer questions effectively.
A concrete tip: Practice linking identity examples to MCAT-style scenarios for better recall.
Terms (49)
- 01
Self-identity
Self-identity is the collection of beliefs and ideas that a person has about themselves, including personal attributes, traits, and roles, which shapes how they see themselves in relation to the world.
- 02
Personal identity
Personal identity refers to the characteristics, beliefs, and experiences that define an individual as unique, often persisting over time despite changes in physical or social circumstances.
- 03
Social identity
Social identity is the part of an individual's self-concept derived from perceived membership in social groups, influencing behavior and attitudes towards in-groups and out-groups.
- 04
Cultural identity
Cultural identity encompasses the shared values, traditions, language, and customs that individuals adopt from their cultural background, affecting their sense of belonging and identity.
- 05
Gender identity
Gender identity is a person's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth, and plays a key role in social interactions and self-perception.
- 06
Ethnic identity
Ethnic identity involves an individual's awareness and acceptance of their ethnic group's cultural heritage, including customs and history, which contributes to their overall sense of self.
- 07
Racial identity
Racial identity is the identification with a particular racial group, shaped by societal perceptions and personal experiences, and can influence social dynamics and self-esteem.
- 08
National identity
National identity is the sense of belonging to a nation, often tied to shared history, symbols, and values, which fosters group cohesion and patriotism.
- 09
Identity formation
Identity formation is the developmental process through which individuals integrate various aspects of their experiences and social influences to create a coherent sense of self.
- 10
Identity vs. role confusion
In Erikson's psychosocial stages, identity vs. role confusion is the stage during adolescence where individuals explore and commit to various roles and ideologies to establish a stable identity.
- 11
Social Identity Theory
Social Identity Theory explains how individuals categorize themselves and others into groups, leading to in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination, as proposed by Tajfel and Turner.
- 12
Identity diffusion
Identity diffusion is a state in Marcia's identity status model where an individual has not explored or committed to identity choices, often characterized by a lack of direction.
- 13
Identity foreclosure
Identity foreclosure occurs when an individual commits to an identity without exploration, typically adopting roles or values imposed by others without personal questioning.
- 14
Identity moratorium
Identity moratorium is a period in Marcia's model where an individual actively explores different identity options but has not yet made a commitment, involving experimentation.
- 15
Identity achievement
Identity achievement is the status in Marcia's model reached after exploring options and making a personal commitment to an identity, resulting in a stable sense of self.
- 16
In-group bias
In-group bias is the tendency to favor one's own group over others, stemming from social identity processes and affecting perceptions and behaviors in social contexts.
- 17
Out-group homogeneity
Out-group homogeneity is the perception that members of an out-group are more similar to each other than they actually are, a common effect in social identity dynamics.
- 18
Stereotype threat
Stereotype threat is the anxiety experienced when an individual fears confirming a negative stereotype about their group, which can impair performance in relevant situations.
- 19
Self-schema
A self-schema is a cognitive framework that organizes and guides the processing of self-related information, influencing how individuals perceive and interpret their identity.
- 20
Possible selves
Possible selves are the various images of what a person might become, including ideal and feared futures, which motivate behavior and shape identity development.
- 21
Narrative identity
Narrative identity is the internalized story that individuals create about their lives, integrating past experiences and future aspirations to form a coherent sense of self.
- 22
Identity salience
Identity salience refers to the prominence of a particular identity in a given situation, determining which aspect of self is most influential in behavior and decisions.
- 23
Multiple identities
Multiple identities describe the various social roles and group memberships an individual holds, which can sometimes conflict and require negotiation for a cohesive self-concept.
- 24
Identity negotiation
Identity negotiation is the process by which individuals manage and adjust their self-presentation in social interactions to align with contextual expectations and personal identity.
- 25
Identity development in adolescence
Identity development in adolescence involves exploring personal values, beliefs, and roles, often leading to a more defined sense of self by early adulthood.
- 26
Bicultural identity
Bicultural identity is the integration of elements from two cultures, allowing individuals to navigate and identify with both cultural contexts effectively.
- 27
Acculturation and identity
Acculturation and identity refer to the changes in cultural identity that occur when individuals from one culture adopt elements of another, potentially leading to hybrid identities.
- 28
Fluid identity
Fluid identity describes identities that change over time or context, reflecting adaptability in response to social and personal experiences.
- 29
Fixed identity
Fixed identity implies a stable and unchanging sense of self, which can be challenged by life events and may not account for personal growth.
- 30
Intersectionality
Intersectionality is the framework that examines how various social identities, such as race and gender, intersect to create unique experiences of privilege or discrimination.
- 31
Group identity
Group identity is the shared sense of belonging among members of a group, based on common characteristics, which strengthens social bonds and collective behavior.
- 32
Identity crisis
An identity crisis is a period of intense self-questioning and confusion about one's roles and beliefs, often triggered by significant life changes.
- 33
Structural isomers
Structural isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different connectivity of atoms, resulting in distinct chemical identities and properties.
- 34
Stereoisomers
Stereoisomers are molecules with the same molecular formula and connectivity but different spatial arrangements, leading to unique identities and biological activities.
- 35
Enantiomers
Enantiomers are a type of stereoisomer that are mirror images of each other and non-superimposable, differing in their interaction with polarized light and receptors.
- 36
Diastereomers
Diastereomers are stereoisomers that are not mirror images, exhibiting different physical and chemical properties due to their distinct spatial configurations.
- 37
Isotopes
Isotopes are variants of an element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, giving them the same atomic identity but different masses.
- 38
Constitutional isomers
Constitutional isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different arrangements of atoms, resulting in unique chemical behaviors and identities.
- 39
Identity matrix
The identity matrix is a square matrix with ones on the diagonal and zeros elsewhere, which, when multiplied by another matrix, leaves it unchanged, used in linear algebra applications.
- 40
Quantum state identity
Quantum state identity refers to the unique description of a particle's state in quantum mechanics, determined by its wave function and properties like spin.
- 41
Identity operator
The identity operator in quantum mechanics is an operator that leaves the state of a system unchanged, representing the preservation of identity in transformations.
- 42
Conservation of mass
Conservation of mass is a fundamental principle stating that mass is neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions, preserving the identity of matter.
- 43
Role identity
Role identity is the aspect of self-concept derived from the social roles an individual occupies, such as student or parent, influencing behavior in those contexts.
- 44
Collective identity
Collective identity is the shared identity among group members, fostering solidarity and collective action based on common goals and experiences.
- 45
Identity continuity
Identity continuity is the perception that one's identity remains consistent over time, despite changes, helping maintain a stable sense of self.
- 46
Hybrid identity
Hybrid identity results from blending elements of multiple cultural or social identities, allowing individuals to adapt to diverse environments.
- 47
Displaced identity
Displaced identity occurs when individuals experience a loss or shift in identity due to forced migration or social changes, leading to identity reconstruction.
- 48
Identity politics
Identity politics involves political actions and alliances based on aspects of social identity, such as race or gender, to address group-specific issues.
- 49
Stigma and identity
Stigma and identity refer to how societal labels and prejudices can negatively impact an individual's self-concept and social interactions.