Identity

=**Identity**=

==="Many of us, much of the time, are able to take identity for granted. We seem to know who we are, we have a good enough working sense of who the others in our lives are, and they appear to relate to us in the same way. Sooner or later, however, a time arrives when identity becomes an issue..." ([|Social Identity]).===

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The Latin root for the word identity is //identitas,// from //idem// meaning 'the same'.

Who Am I?

 * Personal identity** is a sense of self that an individual develops which evolves over the course of their lifetime. A person's identity can be shaped by circumstances they have no control over, as well as by the choices they make. Different aspects of an individual's personal identity can be noticed through what a person wears or how they interact with people. However, some elements of a person's identity may not be distinguishable just by observing their actions and style. An individual's personal identity tends to develop as they involve themselves with different people, groups, beliefs, and as they gain more knowledge through education and extra curricular activities.

In contrast to defining personal identity as different things a person does, some think an individual is born into an identity. Based on an individual's surroundings and biological make up, their identity may closely resemble those close to them. The concept of nature vs. nurture comes into play here. The environment in which a person is brought up in may determine how they perceive themselves personally. This theory can be a bit fuzzy. An individual may be influenced by their parents' thoughts and behaviors, but "as [organisms] begin to experience more environments outside of their home (friends, life events, social situations) they will begin to select, modify, and even create their own environments" (Behavioral Sciences). An individual can begin to develop a social identity once they are comfortable with their personal identity. Therefore, a young individual may go through their adolescent years identifying very closely to those in their known environment, but as they branch out to the world of school and groups of people who have experienced different environments their identity is likely to evolve.




 * "It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me." Batman Begins (2004).**

__Bibliography__
Jenkins, R. (2014). //Social identity //. Routledge.

Plomin, R., & Bergeman, C. S. (1991). Nature and nurture. //Behavioral and Brain Sciences //, //14 //(03), 414-427.

Education Portal (2013). //What is Personal Identity.// http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/what-is- personal-identity-definition-philosophy-development.html