Identity represents a person’s internal sense of belonging to a particular group, while identification is the process by which they come to accept and adopt that identity, often influenced by family, culture, and society. For example, Someone might identify with their region because they were raised in a household that emphasized cultural practices specific to their state or region. This identification connects them to a broader community of people who share a similar regional background, even if they move to another part of India. So, they might identify as a Tamilian or a Punjabi, based on the region they grew up in. This regional identity is central to their sense of self, and it may influence the language they speak, the festivals they celebrate, or the food they eat.
But, not everyone necessarily makes these aspects a core part of their identity, even if they initially identify with them. For example, a person is born in Tamil Nadu but has lived most of their life in Mumbai. While they may speak Tamil at home, they may not see themselves primarily as Tamilian. They might identify with their Tamil heritage in some contexts, like when celebrating Pongal, but they may not make it a defining part of their everyday identity. They may see themselves more as Mumbaikars or even just Indians.
Identification is the process through which individuals relate to and internalize social categories, which in turn helps them form their identity, which means a sense of who they are. These different types of identities often overlap and affect each other, shaping how people see themselves and how they are seen by others. For example, one can identify themselves as a student, autistic, Asian, middle class, female, liberal etc. Social identity, gender identity, political identity, professional identity, and religious identity are some types of identities that are acquired through the identification process.
The concept of identification originated in psychology, with Sigmund Freud using it to explain how a child assimilates external persons or objects as part of their identity formation. This idea was particularly important in explaining how individuals undergo socialization, the process by which they learn the norms and values of their society. However, the sociologist Gordon W. Allport expanded the concept of identification in 1954 to explore how individuals relate to their ethnic groups. He pointed out that people don’t simply adopt ethnic identities because they are told to; the process is more complex, and individuals might or might not accept membership in their ethnic groups.
Foote further developed the idea of identification, emphasizing that it is not just about assimilating external influences but about a person appropriating and committing to a particular identity. This is significant because it marks identification as an active process, where an individual voluntarily adopts certain identities. These identities could be based on family, kinship, religion, or other societal categories. Foote noted that as individuals grow, they can consciously combine and modify these identities to reflect their evolving sense of self.
Identification, therefore, leads to the development of identity, where individuals come to understand who they are in relation to the social world. It is a process of self-discovery and self-actualization, which means that a person gradually builds a sense of who they are through their social experiences. This process is often voluntary, as people actively choose how to see themselves, but it is influenced by societal expectations and norms.
J. Milton Yinger looked at identification as a result of assimilation. He pointed out that in societies like the United States, which are made up of numerous immigrant groups, people might undergo various phases of identification. Some might adopt the dominant culture, while others retain their traditional ethnic identities. For instance, immigrants or ethnic minorities in the U.S. may either identify as simply “Americans” or assert their identities as Hispanics, Africans, or Asian Americans. Yinger also highlighted that this process of identification is not just about individual decisions but is heavily influenced by cultural processes.
In some cases, identification can be one-sided, with one group assimilating into another’s culture, while in others, groups might resist assimilation and maintain their unique identities. For example, some people may choose to identify with their ethnic roots, even if others in society view them differently. This can lead to ethnic conflicts, as seen in areas like Kashmir or the North-East of India, where displaced populations or ethnic groups struggle with being recognized or accepted by the larger society.
Yinger makes an important distinction between self-identification (how individuals or groups view themselves) and identification by others (how others perceive them). These two forms of identification may not always align. For example, someone might identify as belonging to a particular nationality or ethnicity, but others might not recognize them as such, leading to tension or conflict.
In conclusion, the relationship between identity and identification is deeply interconnected. Identification is the process through which individuals relate to and internalize social categories, which in turn helps them form their identity, which means a sense of who they are. This relationship is shaped by both individual choices and societal influences, and it is often a dynamic, evolving process.
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