learntoquestion ltq discussions

I felt a mix of emotions when looking at others’ identity vessels. For the people I know personally, I was a little shocked. For someone to reveal a deeper part of themselves & their sense of self is one thing, but knowing and interacting with them daily made the project hit harder. I felt more empathy when reading the struggles of the authors I know and much less for those I didn’t. There was one exception, though. There was one person I knew mostly through what others said about them and short interactions, so I, honestly, didn’t think much of them. After reading their work, I realized that my opinion was affected by the Fundamental Attribution Error Theory. I judged this person based on a couple of their wrongdoings and completely disregarded the fact that they’re more than just rumors, and face the same battles I, and many of my other friends, are fighting. It doesn’t make what they did right but introduced to me the complexity of their character, something I was too blinded to notice.

Something I also found is that we all have aspects of ourselves that make us an “other” or a “them”. Just like how we share certain things that make us a part of different social groups, we also each have differences that make us unique. Beverly Daniel Tatum’s “The Complexity of Identity” goes more in-depth regarding this phenomenon. She states, “The parts of our identity that do capture our attention are those that other people notice, and that reflect back to us. The aspect of identity that is the target of others' attention, and subsequently of our own, often is that which sets us apart as exceptional or 'other' in their eyes.”

Ultimately, I learned that my peers are more than just what I perceive them as, just like me. They’re composed of their lived experiences, hobbies, etc. It’s an obvious realization, but projects/activities like these always make me see that face-to-face and fully digest it.

What I believe helps to shape our identities is the environment that we have surrounding us and it influences our way of thinking and perception of everything around us. The way you were raised, where you were raised, or maybe the school you go to can become a key part of your identity. These identities that we have are constantly evolving along with the environment around us. As well as the media that we are exposed to can shape your views and thus change your opinion on what you believe to be right or wrong and what you associate with. This impacts who we choose to talk to, where we go, etc. What I ended up learning about my peers is how they see themselves in their own eyes, but also things like where they are from, what they like to do, and what they hold important to them. I was surprised by some of the vessels because there were some unique ones in which you could see the creative side of some peers, like the book. quilt, or the carousel. Social psychological theories impact humans' willingness to view and accept the identities or the growth of others because whether they see that person as a part of their “in-group” or not can determine whether you believe they are worth your time. Such as when we first walked into the seevak room, most people probably went right to their friends’ projects to see what they used as a vessel or wrote in their statement.

When examining the factors that shape our self-perception, how others perceive us, and how we view others, the range of influences are numerous and multifaceted. Many attributes, such as race, nationality, religion, age, and even preferences like our favorite sports or foods, play a crucial role in forming these perceptions. People may initially form their perceptions from these attributes, however these attributes most likely don’t outline a person’s entire identity. According to Beverly Daniel Tatum in “The Complexity of Identity: Who Am I?”, “The parts of our identity that do capture our attention are those that other people notice, and that reflect back to us”(Tatum 2). This implies that our interactions with others and their perceptions of us are influenced by the most noticeable aspects of our identities, whether related to appearance, background, or other attributes. Our identities most certainly influence both our personal and social choices in life. On a personal level, identity shapes our core values, beliefs, interests, passions, confidence, self-esteem, and goals. Similarly, on a social level, our identities affect the relationships we form, our social expectations, our affiliations with various groups, and our approaches to conflict resolution. The groups we associate with often resonate with aspects of our identity, influencing our social activities, political views, and other topics of interest. While both personal and social choices are significantly influenced by our identities, there is a distinct difference between the parts of our identities which drive these choices. Personal identity generally pertains to the unique qualities, experiences, and self-perceptions that define an individual. It reflects how we view ourselves and our individual attributes. In contrast, social identity is concerned with the groups and categories with which we identify, shaped by our roles, memberships, and societal expectations.

Through class discussion and the examination of the diverse identity vessels created by my peers, it became clear that despite our varied backgrounds there is often a shared connection linking us. This interconnectedness, whether through educational experiences or other common shared aspects of our lives, underscores our collective human experience. However, it is also important to recognize that everyone possesses distinct attributes that set them apart, highlighting the complexity and uniqueness of personal identity. During this project, I discovered numerous commonalities between myself and my peers, while at the same time encountering many unique attributes that I didn’t know about other people. An example of one commonality I shared with a peer involved a “Star Wars Storm Trooper action figure” featured in both our identity vessels. Upon reviewing their writings, it became evident that we both harbored a passion for Star Wars, illuminating the fact that an individual’s identity can encompass more than initially apparent. This discovery created a new bond between us and changed our perceived impression of each other. Ultimately, I have realized that my own perception of others has been shaped by certain more noticeable attributes, but I have come to realize that there is more to a person than what seems apparent.

When walking around and looking at each project, I noticed a lot of different activities my classmates did, as well as new facts. Many of these things I did not know before, so it was interesting to learn. However, I also began to notice that a lot of times our own insecurities were projected on what we assumed other peoples views on us was. While walking around the classroom, I saw many traits on the outside of the boxes that were often negative. These were ones that I had never once associated with those people. Maybe they were traits that were mentioned or brought up once, but still stuck with the individuals. I think that we tend to be overly critical of ourselves while we put our peers on a pedestal. “Comparison is the root of all evil” is a phrase a friend once mentioned to me, and it is extremely apparent here. The people that we idolize and obsess over are people that we don’t truly know. We are creating a fake image of someone only based on their exterior. As Claude Mckay states, in her poem I Know My Soul, “This awful key to my infinity--Conspires to rob me of sweet joy and grace.” We will never truly know what every complete stranger thinks of us. Much of our ideas are based on assumption. Not knowing is the biggest deception. It leaves room for overthinking, insecurities, and more. The truth is, we are not what others assume and they are not what we assume. The idea of judging someone based on one moment or one glance is a bit superficial, even if it is done in a positive light. You can never really or truly know someone, or even yourself sometimes. Identity may be impacted or controlled by others' perception of us, but we must make sure that it does not have a negative effect. To ensure that we dont let those opinions become our defining factor. Many things may affect who we become, but we must learn to differentiate ourselves. We decide whether we let it define our individuality.

We are formed to view ourselves through a positive or negative light, and the idea of Social Identity Theory ties to this idea due to the many descriptions or adjectives that we use to describe ourselves are usually influenced by what others think of us. I believe the way in which we see others, on the other hand, depends on their actions, such as first impressions, and everything in between. I think creating a good first impression becomes important as it usually transforms into the justification for everything that person does until you and the other person actually interact and conversate with one another. We are formed to view ourselves through a positive or negative light, and the idea of Social Identity Theory ties to this idea due to the many descriptions or adjectives that we use to describe ourselves are usually influenced by what others think of us. I believe the way in which we see others, on the other hand, depends on their actions, such as first impressions, and everything in between. I think creating a good first impression becomes important as it usually transforms into the justification for everything that person does until you and the other person actually interact and conversate with one another. For example, if you were to see another person as someone who is rude and snarky, everything they do is because they are rude, even when they do something nice– it will be justified as them being two-faced, or a rare occurrence.

Our identity can also be easily malleable, based off our environment and the people around us. Society allows us many ways to change and grow, but usually, the people you hang out with will effect how you act the most, limiting you in that regard. The idea of Social Conformity theory, where if others are acting a certain way, you will act that way too, even if it’s wrong or not what you agree with.

Finally, I learned from my peers that they all have certain aspects of their lives that they found the most important to incorporate into their identity vessels. I think most of them, touched lightly upon their personal lives though, as it’s more difficult to talk about how you really are then what you want to seem to be, or how you look from the outside. For example, there was one student who talked about their struggle as someone who doesn’t have English as their first language, and I think that can get pretty personal as many people don’t really talk about the struggle of being someone who hasn’t originated from the United States, where everyone is completely different from what you’re used to, and you may feel isolated.

I also thought it was fascinating, because there were many students who mentioned their cultural identity, like where they are from, using flags or a certain item to represent their home country. I noticed a pattern in which those who were from a certain state in the United States were less likely to put their flag then someone who is from South America or Asia. This makes sense because as Beverly Daniel Tatum states: “--in the areas where a person is a member of the dominant or advantaged social group, the category is usually not mentioned. That element of their identity is so taken for granted by them that it goes without comment.” Those who are from America, which is a good portion, decided to opt out of using an flag. with one another. For example, if you were to see another person as someone who is rude and snarky, everything they do is because they are rude, even when they do something nice– it will be justified as them being two-faced, or a rare occurrence.

Our identity can also be easily malleable, based off our environment and the people around us. Society allows us many ways to change and grow, but usually, the people you hang out with will effect how you act the most, limiting you in that regard. The idea of Social Conformity theory, where if others are acting a certain way, you will act that way too, even if it’s wrong or not what you agree with.

From my peers, I learned that they all have certain aspects of their lives that they found the most important to incorporate into their identity vessels. I think most of them, touched lightly upon their personal lives though, as it’s more difficult to talk about how you really are then what you want to seem to be, or how you look from the outside. For example, there was one student who talked about their struggle as someone who doesn’t have English as their first language, and I think that can get pretty personal as many people don’t really talk about the struggle of being someone who hasn’t originated from the United States, where everyone is completely different from what you’re used to, and you may feel isolated.

Lastly, I also thought it was fascinating, because there were many students who mentioned their cultural identity, like where they are from, using flags or a certain item to represent their home country. I noticed a pattern in which those who were from a certain state in the United States were less likely to put their flag then someone who is from South America or Asia. This makes sense because as Beverly Daniel Tatum states: “--in the areas where a person is a member of the dominant or advantaged social group, the category is usually not mentioned. That element of their identity is so taken for granted by them that it goes without comment” (Tatum 2). Those who are from America, which is a good portion, decided to opt out of using a flag.

When looking at the outside of my classmates' identity vessels, I noticed a similar theme, most people had taped on words of how their friends described them or physical attributes that you would be able to notice by looking at them. This project reminded me of what we learned in class about Henri Tajfel’s theory that self-concept is tied to memberships in social groups such as nationalities, religions, political identities, and ethnic groups. I noticed that inside of people's boxes held many representations of these “social groups” Tajfel was talking about. For example, the majority of people put flags of where they were from or their religious identities. The way people view themselves is influenced by others to a certain extent. According to Beverly Daniel Tatum, “the concept of identity is a complex one, shaped by individual characteristics, family dynamics, historical factors, and social and political contexts”. Our identities are shaped by who we are surrounded with growing up and the views that our friends, parents, and teachers have influence us.

Also, when looking at other people’s identity vessels, the outside of everyone looked very similar but if you looked inside the box, they were all different and you could see what matters to the person. This shows how on the outside people might try to conform to society. But, if you look on the inside and get to know a person, everyone has a different story to tell. This idea is seen in “The Complexity of Identity. Who Am I?”, according to Beverly Daniel Tatum, “There are many examples of subordinates attempting to make themselves over in the image of the dominant group-Jewish people who want to change the Semitic look of their noses” (Tatum 5). Tatum explains how there are dominant and subordinate groups and subordinate groups sometimes attempt to change themselves to fit into the dominant group. This is shown in the identity vessels because people try to conform to society on the outside but in reality, everyone is not meant to be the same.

Our identities are formed while we’re young. In the identity vessels, I observed that there were lots of young pictures of people to represent their identities. This led me to believe that most of us form crucial parts of our identity as young kids. These identities may change, because many people stop liking certain things or make new friends that are much different from their old ones. New interests can change identities and how we see ourselves. These identities are hardly malleable today though. This is due primarily to social media. By the time most people are in middle school, they and their friends are on social media. Before then, their parents have likely uploaded photos or videos of them from when they were younger. This is the case with me. Because lots of these traces of ourselves are easy to find and sometimes permanent, they can make it hard to move away from our past, or our previous identities. This, in turn, makes our identities much less flexible. The reading How Social Media Shapes Our Identity explains how viral posts on social media can make it nearly impossible to escape our past. An example they use is the “Star Wars kid,” who went viral in 2003 because of a video he made where he swung a golf-ball retriever around like a lightsaber. The video brought him much negative attention, which caused him to be suicidal. This demonstrates well how social media makes our identities far less malleable, a modern problem.

Something I observed across the number of statements I read was a common consensus, of sorts, that people are often associated with surface-level attributes that don’t speak to who they truly are -- but even more than this, so many of the people they encounter are perfectly content with holding this singular view. The outside of the vessels tended to be very muted, cookie-cutter versions of the insides -- that much had seemed obvious. But something that surprised me was just how vivid the insides were, often paying homage to the many loves that my peers hold that are often left unseen. Such as for the arts, or even a video game series, I was faced with just how expressive and passionate these people are -- but also with how little of that same vigor they are able to share within their day-to-day lives. Julia Noboa Pollanco’s poem Identity delves into a concept very similar to these observations. She articulates the belief that identity is more of staying true to one’s passions, and their aspirations, even with the threat of monotony, as society often demands from people. Much like how Pollanco declared she would rather be the mud or ugly weed than a pretty blossom -- that is, someone entirely of her own, without the fretting of how she is perceived -- I noticed a similar trend within the statements I read on the gallery walk. As with the aforementioned hidden joys, so to say, I saw the one-dimensional people they were taken for on the surface, either defined by past actions or impressions, but also I saw an unapologetic pride in who they were beneath this surface. It suggested that identity is only what we make for ourselves, not how the world might insist we are to be taken as.

Through the identity vessels, I learned more about everyone and how everyone is interesting. Though the brightly colored boxes caught my eye at first, as I moved around the room, even the plain boxes had interesting artifacts and reasonings captivating me. Faces I saw every day and names I heard every day became individualized with personalities, life experiences, and identities. Although every vessel had an interesting meaning behind it, some of the most interesting ones were unconventional and unexpected vessels. Despite learning about the self-concept theory, I was still shocked by the difference in people's self-perceptions and interpersonal perceptions. I realized that much of other people's perceptions of both myself and others came from the information we put out. For example, despite how unexpected the inside of people's identity vessels may have been, on the outside, it was less about untrue perceptions from a long time ago and more recent depictions of what they would talk about or associate with. This was interesting to me because I learned that most perceptions of people tend to be based on their interests and can also be incredibly malleable as they mature. This also went against Claude McKay’s I Know My Soul, where he says “This awful key to my infinity / Conspires to rob me of sweet joy and grace.” In the poem, he makes his soul seem like something that should be hidden and completely different from others perceptions of him. Through the identity vessels, I found that much of peoples individual perception of themselves, werent being hidden, but rather people werent getting close enough to learn that about them.