Identity Summary of Social Theory

Identity Summary

Summary of Social Theory

Identify summary

Goffman

Identity formation is a composite of the presentation of self by the individual and the understanding of that presentation by others. In presenting the self the individual always runs the risk of engaging in a polarized action. Consequently, the mask is important to the individual. The true self is never presented and there is a dichotomy within the person. This dichotomy can be understood as a movement between sincerity and cynicism. The front stage is actually dominated by the back stage performance. Identity formation is then anchored in the actor's behavior and consequently the influence of the structure on the actor is limited. Inherently therefore this is a fair amount of contrivance and guile in the construction of roles and status positions.

Hall

Black cultural politics and the ongoing shifts within the mosaic of the political landscape has a dominant place in the construction of race-based identities. Within the British culture black experiences have been deliberately marginalized as part of the wider attempt to eliminate necessary black discourses from the overall political discussion. The dominant concerns were the access to representation by blacks and the contestation of black marginality. The complexity of the issue is underscored by the attempts to not discuss the issue on the larger political stage. This is supported by the presentation of race issues as being historical in nature. The inherent suggestion is that at present these issues no longer exist. As long as identity construction is anchored in the political and cultural dynamic then historical antecedents will remain relevant to the discussion and debate.

Marcuse