Individualism and Identity

Topic: Self and Identity Signals

Source: Conformity and Conflict, James Spradley and David W. McCurdy (p. 142 – 152)
Cultural Anthro, Richard Robbins (p. 248 – 258)
Irvine Spectrum Center
“Taboo? Scarification” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vvb16VyVEY
“Full Body Tattoo Taboo?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIoa4-HPBhY&feature=relmfu
“Taboo: Body Modification” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puj8KCz0pMg
“Taboo? Flesh Branding” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO2am5gxPbE

Relation: As Robbins explains, “society is a collection of social identities;” (Robbins 133). That is, individuals try to find a role to occupy in society. An individual’s identity is in relation to their peers, culture and society. There are features, such as race, gender, and physical appearance, which are responsible for creating an individual’s identity. These features are referred to as an identity toolbox. In addition to these features, there is a multitude of other features that also contribute to an individual’s identity. Such features include, class, career, clothing, names, and many more.
Different societies have different views on the idea of self and identity. Some societies have individualistic views, meaning that individuals are “primarily responsible for his or her own actions,” (Robbins 135). This is view is very pronounced in American culture. The holistic approach states that individuals “cannot be conceived of as existing separately from society,” (Robbins 135). Egocentric views are those where the individual is “a replica of all humanity,” (Robbins 135). A sociocentric society would define the self as being in the context of situations. In Japan, the views of self are almost the exact opposite of those in America. In America, people seek to separate themselves from the group and be unique. In Japan, “the nail that sticks up shall be hammered down,” (Robbins 135).

Description: I left my apartment at approximately 4:30pm on Thursday and headed toward the Irvine Spectrum Center. I created a survey to find out how people perceived their own identity. I wanted to know how people perceived themselves in the context of society. I also wanted to know how people perceived themselves and their identities. My goal was to interview 10 participants and compare the results.
My first participant was Michael. His name had significance. He was named after one of his uncles. Michael viewed himself as being individualistic. When asked to describe five important features of his identity he answered with the following: his personality and his kind spirit. He believes that the most notable features of his identity are his “big heart” and his care free attitude. Michael believes that his identity is heavily influenced by society. He is comfortable with his identity and would not change anything about it.
My second participant was Ryan. His name did not have any significant meaning. Much like Michael, he viewed himself as being individualistic. When asked to describe five important features of his identity he answered with the following: nice, friendly, athletic, and honest. He believes that the most people perceive him as being rough, mean, smart and Mexican. He believes that he has control over his identity. Unlike Michael, Ryan admitted that he would like to be taller.
My third participant was Pam. Her name did not have any significant meaning. Much like Michael and Ryan, she viewed herself as being individualistic. When asked to describe five important features of his identity he answered with the following: short, outgoing, funny, sporty, and blind. She believes that her most noticeable features are that she is short, a teacher, smart, athletic, and assertive. She believes that she has control over his identity and doesn’t care how society defines her. Much like Michael, Pam is happy with her identity and would not change anything about it.
My fourth participant was Julia. Her name had some significance. She was named after her grandmother. Unlike Michael, Ryan, and Pam, she viewed herself as being egocentric. When asked to describe five important features of his identity he answered with the following: smart, athletic, positive attitude, moral, and badass. She believes that her most noticeable features are that she dresses in dark clothes, and she is tall, pale, and shy. Externally, she believes that society has control over her identity. However, internally, she doesn’t care how she is identified by society. She would like to be a few inches shorter.

Commentary/Analysis: Names are an integral part of our identity. We are not born with them; rather they are given to us by our parents and society. In many cases, names carry great significance. Michael and Julia were named after relatives. I wonder why their parents made this choice. Do they expect Michael and Julia to follow in their respective relatives footsteps? Why are these relatives so memorable? Why are these relatives deserving of such recognition?
In other cultures, names change with positions. “Among the Gitksan of British Colombia, the names people use depend on their social position; when they enter adulthood, get married, or assume a higher rank in Gitksan society, they change their names,” (Robbins 134).
It was rather interesting to hear the answers to the question regarding five important features of identity. The participants really focused on internal qualities rather than external. In addition, when asked what qualities others are most likely to notice, the majority of their answers were internal qualities as well. They rarely acknowledged external attributes such as clothing, height, gender, ethnicity, etc.
I also found it interesting how people really felt that they controlled their identity. It was not surprising, given that American culture is very individualistic. But they felt that they owned these characteristics. Characteristics that create our personalities, such as mannerisms, language, communication, fashion, etc. are all adopted from our parents, friends, colleagues, society, etc.
I also found it interesting that Michael and Pam would not change anything internal or external about their identities. Despite complaining about diminutive height, Pam said she was happy with herself. Ryan claimed he wanted to be taller. However, I was surprised that he did not mention that he would like to appear less Mexican. He is actually Filipino.
I began to wonder about my identity. In the context of my home, I would say my view of self is sociocentric. In the context of home, I am Iban, the second son of Rodolfo and the fourth child of Irene. But outside my parent’s home, I am Iban, the scholar, athlete, etc.
I also listed five important qualities of myself (Mexican, intelligent, athletic, educated, and funny). After looking at them, “Mexican” really stuck out to me. Why was it so important to me? I began recalling all the different times that people misclassified my ethnicity. People often assume that I am Chinese, Hispanic, Italian, Korean, Filipino, White, White + “Other,” or Colombian. Being recognized as Mexican is important to me not because I have pride in my ethnicity. It is important to me because my parents are Mexican and I hope to honor them in whatever I do.
While I believe I have some control over my identity, I acknowledge that society also controls my identity. I can do many things to change my appearance. Such changes include changing my wardrobe, changing my hair style, getting piercing, getting tattoos, etc. However, these changes are not without consequences. These changes will also change how people perceive me. People often perceive people with pierced eye brows, lips, and noses as rebels, misfits, or punks. In Japan, tattoos historically used to distinguish criminals from the general population. The Yakuza have adopted tattoos to identify themselves as part of the criminal underworld.
I reviewed my answers to the question regarding features of my identity that I would like to change (taller, appear more Mexican, and better language and communication skills). What did I mean when I said I wanted to “appear more Mexican?” I would have to define specific features belonging to that ethnic group. This proved to be a difficult task as I remembered what Jeffrey Fish explained in “Mixed Blood.” “Our categories for racial classification of people arbitrarily include certain dimensions (light versus dark skin) and exclude others (rounded versus elongated bodies),” (Spradley 251). There is great variation between Mexicans all over the country. Some states have higher indigenous populations than others and some states have greater European descendents than others.
I also wondered if my desire to “appear more Mexican” contradicted my desires to be taller and have better language and communication skills. For example, most Mexicans tend to be relatively short. Being taller would mean that I would appear less Mexican. In addition, to have better language and communication skills would mean that I would have to give up my subtle, Spanish accent. This would definitely affect people’s ability to recognize me as a Mexican.
We are defined by both what we are and what we are not. Identity in the context of society is very important. It may distinguish us from one another, but our overlapping qualities link us together and form our culture. As we continue to find new and innovative ways to display our individuality or conformity, our culture will evolve.