FYS 101: Exploration of Identity

Identity is a set of traits that distinguishes you from others and includes your core values and beliefs. 

A strong sense of identity is important since it affects your motivations and relationships. Understanding your identity is important for creating self-awareness, provide direction in your life, keep you grounded, improve decision making, and enable us to get more involved with communities. It also enables healthy relationships with others.

Factors that contribute to your identity include physical appearance, emotional traits, values, social community, family and more.

Our identity also develops with us throughout our life. In childhood, our identity is shaped primarily by our family since we interact with them the most. This is the time when we learn values that our family and communities find important. In adolescence, identity formation begins and we intentionally start building our sense of self and learning more about ourselves. In adulthood, we begin building our professional identities and build a deeper understanding of identity and relationships. It is important to note that these stages are flexible and our identities evolve with us. (Very Well Mind)

• Exploring Exploration: Identity Exploration in Real-Time Interactions among Peers

This is a short term longitudinal study that examines identity exploration and interactions with peers. A main finding is that mutual affirmation from peers and the process of going back and forth is a key process in identity exploration.

• The Early Identity Exploration Scale

This article focuses on the exploration aspect of identity formation. They include twelve exploration domains for identity formation including physical appearance, free time, family, work, boyfriend-girlfriend relationships, own opinion formation, perception of own place in the life cycle, self-reflection, future, future family, outlook on life, and attitude toward rules.

• Why Identity Matters and How It Shapes Us

This article defines identity and explains the importance of identity. It also provides tips on ways to reflect on your identity.

• Multiple social identities and well-being: Insights from a person-centered approach

This article explores the relationship between social identification and identity integration with their impact on psychological well-being. They utilized a person center approach in this study which means they focus on individuals and not variables for a better understanding of multiple identifications.

• Why We Should All Consider Our Multiple Identities 

This article provides helpful thought exercises that have the potential to boost your problem solving skills and creativity by utilizing your multiple identities. It explores the concept of "identity accessibility".

• Here's How Your Personal Identity and Sense of Self Affect Your Growth

This article focuses on the connection between identity and well-being. They focus on how to align your identity and sense of self with other tips for strengthening your sense of self.

• Identity 

This article defines and explores the concepts of identity and authenticity.