social identity
Who groups define
Social identity is the sense of self derived from membership in groups—nationality, ethnicity, religion, profession, or any collective affiliation.
People draw meaning and belonging from these identities: Her social identity as a first-generation immigrant shaped her worldview.
The concept explains how group membership influences behavior, loyalty, and conflict with out-groups.
Inherited cultural legacy
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- cultureCollective social practices
- ethnic groupPopulation sharing cultural identity
- tribeSocial group sharing ancestry
customs · traditions · indigenous · minority · multiculturalism · diaspora · assimilation · diversity
Exclusive social cluster
- out-groupPerceived foreign collective
- belongingState of fitting in
- communityCollective of connected people
- membershipState of belonging
affiliation · tribe · peer group · subculture · clique · solidarity · exclusion · inclusion
One's own identity perception
- self-imageOne's view of oneself
- self-perceptionHow one views oneself
- self-esteemOne's sense of worth
- self-worthInternal sense of value
individuality · authenticity · self-awareness · ego · uniqueness · self-acceptance · personhood · character
Status as state member
- patriotismDevotion to one's homeland
- homelandOne's native land
- diasporaScattered population sharing origins
- immigrantOne who resettles abroad
expatriate · naturalization · dual citizenship · national pride · allegiance · native · foreigner · refugee
Expected behaviors by sex
- femininityFemale nature or character
- masculinityMale gender characteristics
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
- non-binaryGender outside two categories
genderqueer · genderfluid · cisgender · intersex · gender expression · LGBTQ+ · pronouns · coming out
Trust without proof
- spiritualityConnection to the sacred
- beliefTrust held as true
- denominationNamed religious group
- sectBreakaway religious faction
convert · devout · secular · atheist · agnostic · observant · practicing · lapsed
heritage
Inherited cultural legacy
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- cultureCollective social practices
- ethnic groupPopulation sharing cultural identity
tribe · customs · traditions · indigenous · minority · multiculturalism · diaspora · assimilation · diversity · ethnocentrism
in-group
Exclusive social cluster
- out-groupPerceived foreign collective
- belongingState of fitting in
- communityCollective of connected people
membership · affiliation · tribe · peer group · subculture · clique · solidarity · exclusion · inclusion · othering
self-concept
One's own identity perception
- self-imageOne's view of oneself
- self-perceptionHow one views oneself
- self-esteemOne's sense of worth
self-worth · individuality · authenticity · self-awareness · ego · uniqueness · self-acceptance · personhood · character · self-expression
citizenship
Status as state member
- patriotismDevotion to one's homeland
- homelandOne's native land
- diasporaScattered population sharing origins
immigrant · expatriate · naturalization · dual citizenship · national pride · allegiance · native · foreigner · refugee · stateless
gender roles
Expected behaviors by sex
- femininityFemale nature or character
- masculinityMale gender characteristics
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
non-binary · genderqueer · genderfluid · cisgender · intersex · gender expression · LGBTQ+ · pronouns · coming out · gender binary
faith
Trust without proof
- spiritualityConnection to the sacred
- beliefTrust held as true
- denominationNamed religious group
sect · convert · devout · secular · atheist · agnostic · observant · practicing · lapsed · interfaith
- identityself, selfhood, self-expression, self-image, self-concept
- social developmentsocialization, friendship, belonging, sharing, turn-taking
- self-expressionstyle, self-expression, fashion, self-portrait, clothing
- social psychologyconformity, attribution, groupthink, group dynamics, bystander effect
- group psychologygroup dynamics, peer influence, belongingness, collective behavior, group norms
- identity studiesethnic studies, race relations, ethnicity, race, African American studies
social identitypersonal identity
One's defining characteristics
self-identity · individuality · idiosyncrasy · self-concept · temperament
social identityprivate self
One's concealed inner identity
inner self · true self · authentic self · hidden self · inner life
social, society, identity, identify, associate, association, sociable, identical, antisocial