Distinctiveness Theory Of Identity Research Paper

Identity: Where does the I come from? i·den·ti·ty / īˈdentitē/
Noun - the distinguishing character or personality of an individual What is identity? One of the definitions in the Merriam-Webster dictionary described identity as being the distinguishing character or personality of an individual. There are many characteristics that make up an individual, and what’s distinguishing to me, may not be distinguishing to you, and vise versa. So, is identity determined by what an individual believes to be his or her distinguishing characteristic or is it what others believe it to be? Or maybe it’s both. In Drew Hayden Taylors ‘Pretty Like a White Boy: The Adventures of a Blue Eyed Ojibway’ and David Suzuki’s ‘Ancestors-The Genetic Source,’
What part does race and ethnicity play in determining ones identity? Who shapes and defines our identity? Is it ourselves or others? The optimal distinctiveness theory suggests that individuals have two fundamental and competing human needs - the need to be included and fit in with society and the need to be different. The evidence indicates that the two needs influence the perceptions and judgments of the self (Zanna and Olson p.63-64). This particular theory is especially visible in David Suzuki’s Ancestors-The Genetic Source. David Suzuki writes, “All my life I had wanted large eyes and brown hair so I could be like everyone else. Yet on that train, where I did fit in, I didn’t like it” (Suzuki p.66). This quote directly relates to the optimal distinctiveness theory, in that it suggest he had always wanted to fit in and be like everyone else in Canada-he wanted to look Canadian. However, while on a train in Japan where his features resembled everyone else, he didn’t like it, he wanted to be different. Throughout the reading we see how Suzuki identifies as Canadian, he explains “English is my language, Shakespeare is my literature, British history is what I learned and Beethoven is my
We are socialized through agents such as family, school, peers, media, religion, work and so on. The people we interact with directly influences what we think of ourselves (Witt and Hermiston p.66-85). In ‘Pretty Like a White Boy’ Taylor’s identity seems to be heavily influenced and dependent on what others think. He states “ once you get past the aforementioned eyes, the fair skin, light brown hair, and noticeable lack of cheekbones, there lies the heart and spirit of an Ojibway storyteller” (Taylor par.2) this statement clearly shows his connection to his native heritage, but how he feels and wants to identify isn’t enough to give him a sense of security of who he is. Throughout the reading we see how the opinions of others deeply affect him, for example he is hurt when as a child he was always forced to be the cowboy when playing cowboys and indians, and when a young native girl questions whether or not he’s native he admits to having been “frustrated and a little hurt” (Taylor par.17) then proceeds to thrust his status card at her. In an ideal world we would chose and portray our own identities, and our only influence would be from ourselves. Unfortunately research shows that’s not the case. Our identities are determined by our daily interactions, the people we socialize with and how we imagine others view us. If the opinions of others weren’t