Home > DD100 An Introduction to the Social Sciences
Question: Outline what social scientists mean by both “race” and “ethnicity” and demonstrate how these two concepts are linked to identity formation.
Answer: In this essay I will summarize the concepts, identity, “race” and “ethnicity” as used by social scientists, how identities are formed and how “race” and “ethnicity” are related to identity formation in its social construction.
Identity is a complex issue. “How we see ourselves” and “how others see us” are two simple definitions allowing exploration of the many components, bringing together the personal and the social factors involved in identity formation, that provide a link between the individual and the world.
Degrees of agency and structure are argued for in formation of identities, most theories support a blending of the two as essential to the process. For example Goffman (1959), favours structure, in his “dramaturgical perspective”, but acknowledges agency in our ability to improvise and negotiate a role....(short extract)
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- Subject: Sociology
- Course: DD100
- Level: Degree
- Year: 1st
- Mark: 80%
- Words: 819
- Date submitted: January 25, 2009
- Date written: February, 2008
- References: No
- Document type: Essay*
- Essay ID: 321
