Question

How do you define identity? I need a long answer, well specified the concept with examples.

Answer 1

Basically identity is a sense of self, it defines the way who I am or what I am. Through our social identity, we build our self concept, gain our self esteem and confidence as well. Individual's values, norms, beliefs are dependent upon self identity. People who suffered from identity crisis their sense of self is very low and even they don't know what they are, and their self esteem is very poor.

Self concept or identity develops through our family, friend circles, social communities or some social groups where we belongs. Our quality of self is dependent upon with those people who involved with us. Some times social groups or community changes our mentality. Therefore society plays a important role in formation of identity. As a example : our nations or religion influences us, so our one of the major identity is we are indian.

There are described some categories of identity :

• Cultural identity is a type of identity where person involved with a cultural group or society.
• Racial identity defines a concept of self, people believes they belongs to an racial group.
• National identity is a type of individuality that defines the basic sense of nations or traditions.

These are the essential categories of identity mentioned in above.