In the twenty-first century, the human world has become a place of shifting borders, swiftly disseminating ideas, fast and effortless mobility, and ever-increasing connection. Humanity lives in an environment of meaning, where people constantly identify themselves, and decide which more significant categories they may belong to. Culture and identity are the main fields of focus of each personality and society, to which the individual adjusts and grows.
Language, theology, social customs, and history are aspects of a unique community of people’s heritage, considered culture. Similar to how we choose which groups to identify with, which to consider different, and what thoughts and emotions each of these categories awaken, individuals choose which communities to identify with (April 2018). The main difference is that identity alludes to our sense of belonging to a group, whereas culture refers to our pattern of deeply ingrained rituals, ideas, and meanings.
The essential ideas that shape our identities and cultural perception have deep historical roots. The importance of memory, purpose, and the impression of similarity or difference in the identity notion was therefore highlighted in early philosophical perspectives. These conceptual accents later impacted the beliefs of William James and George Herbert Mead, influential theorists whose concepts serve as the basis for modern frameworks (McLean & Syed, 2017). Taylor has suggested that in the setting of a diverse world, identity serves as the foundation for fair social ethics. Other philosophers have suggested that identity should serve as the cornerstone of a universal ethic of social equality and tolerance for cultural diversity.
The positive and negative consequences of residing with other ethnic group members could be explained, as well as interactions within one ethnic group. Members of one community can share common beliefs and ideas to support and expand the cultural background and ties. However, individuals from various ethnic groups can experience adverse relations outcomes due to contradicting views and prejudice in society. Additionally, a bigger ethnical group in the process of constant interaction can suppress the smaller community, which can result in the assimilation process.
Therefore, culture and identity are the main factors contributing to an individual’s personality development. Various scholars worked on the theoretical framework for these concepts, the most prominent were James, Mead, and Taylor. Interactions of various ethnical groups based on cultural differences can lead to either further conflict of beliefs or suppression of one idea; however, inner relationships among one group can help to develop stronger identity markers.
References
April, W. (2018). Culture and identity. Books on Demand.
McLean, K. C. & Syed, M. (2017). The Oxford handbook of identity development. Oxford University Press.