This book is on the reading list for Gesture and Meaning. It's written as part of an introduction to the Social Sciences and attempts to explain the psychology of group mentality in humans.
In order to understand who we are as an individual we must be able to see sameness and difference in others - to know who we are we must also know who we are not. In that way we create our own identity, by accepting or rejecting aspects of one another. This is where group mentalities come into play. We mentally join groups where we see perceive sameness. We are all members of many different groups: Adult Child, Married, Single, Parent, Teacher, Engineer, Unemployed, Religious, Atheist, Guitar Player, Bird Watcher, Creative. We can move between many different groups, adopting different identities for each one. We don't necessarily behave the same way with our parents or at work as when we are with our friends. The more successful we are at maintaining an identity the more we will be accepted within a group.
Within these groups we negotiate a hierarchy. The individual that is the most knowledgeable Engineer in the group, who best fits that identity, will be accepted as such by the other members of the group. The other members jostle for position around that perceived 'ideal' identity and fit in accordingly. The group can be accepting of more quirky interpretations of the Engineer identity and evolve or outright reject difference and remain static.
An individual may perceive themselves as a member of the School Parent group and attempt to join. They will be scrutinised by the other members of the group and assessed for the qualities of the identity required. If it turns out the correct qualities are perceived as lacking, the individual may be relegated to the bottom of the group or cast as Other - not necessarily accepted. The individual cannot maintain an identity alone. They need recognition from the other members of the group for that identity to be successful.
Groups themselves negotiate within a hierarchy of other groups. Groups that we do not belong to we perceive as Other. The Engineers group may perceive itself as superior to the Admin group in an organisation. This can only happen if the Admin group accepts the place given to it by the other group. If there is disagreement then there is a power struggle and conflict arises.
External factors can play a part in determining identity. Gender, Race, and Class have a big influence in most societies. Groups operate within social structures created by Political groups for instance. These groups can determine the success or disadvantage of members of the other groups. Women, Working Class, Minority and Ethnic Groups, not only define their own identities but have to negotiate a world that is controlled by influential groups that also have a major input. In order to play a role (adopt an identity) we must be seen by others. Other groups can accept or reject aspects of that identity and make decisions on its behalf. For instance the ability of women to be be able to fight in the military is a perceived quality that other groups will have influence over.
This book has been very informative and has helped me to see more clearly how identity is formed and how an individual moves effortlessly between many different identities in different contexts. Also that we are not able to inhabit an identity without the consent of others. How we are seen and perceived by others is very influential in the success of any adopted identity. Membership of groups helps to re-enforce a chosen identity.
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