Lesson 1 — Activity 1: Defining Identity
Completion requirements
Lesson 1 — Activity 1: Defining
Identity
Growing up, you might have had experiences that are similar to those of some of your friends and family. You might also have had experiences that are very different from others around you. The ways that people respond to their experiences have major influences
on the way they see themselves and develop their identities.
How can we answer the question “Who am I?”
The answer is more than just our given name of course — it is much deeper than that — it is a question about our personality and more. There are some obvious factors that we know from the outset just by looking at ourselves — that we are male or female, whether we are young, middle aged, or old. Our identity is who we ARE not what we DO.
The answer is more than just our given name of course — it is much deeper than that — it is a question about our personality and more. There are some obvious factors that we know from the outset just by looking at ourselves — that we are male or female, whether we are young, middle aged, or old. Our identity is who we ARE not what we DO.
Courtesy of Getty
In this activity, you will think about the meaning of identity and consider some of the factors important to you in forming your identity.
Here are some definitions for the term identity:
Here are some definitions for the term identity:
Identity — sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing: ONENESS
- This definition describes identity as the quality of being the same in different
circumstances.
Identity — the distinguishing character or personality of an individual: INDIVIDUALITY
- This definition describes identity as the way a person is, the characteristics
that are significant
to that person, or the qualities that make up that person's personality.
In this lesson and those that follow, you will consider the qualities or characteristics that stay with a person in all circumstances to create the core of the person's identity. You will also look at how a person's identity might change depending on
the situation the person is in.
Self-check!
For this Self-check Activity, you will create an Identity Map to start thinking about the components that make up your own identity.
Click here for a copy of the blank Identity Map. In the centre of the map, you will write your name. Then on the branches of the map, write FOUR words that best describe you, such as "artist," "daughter," "son," etc. From there, you will branch
out again to describe your characteristics further (e.g., "creative artist," "youngest son," "oldest daughter").
Here is an example of a completed Identity Map.
Courtesy of ADLC