Identity, the fact of being who or what a person or thing is.
Sheldon Stryker's Theory of designations and definitions (1980) explains that our human social behaviour is organised by symbolic designations of all aspects of the environment. This means that our identity is a result of environmental factors not our biology. Sheldon describes that we conform to social norms eg, gender, job roles etc. We control ourselves depending on our social standing (environment) and expectations that go with it. For example, you might swear with your friends but not around your Grandparents.
Stryker reasoned that identities are parts of a larger sense of self, such identities are organised into a salience hierarchy (most important/relevant). This is important in identity theory because the salience we attach to our identities influences how much effort we put into each role and how well we perform in each role. The hierarchy is formed as the individual gets positive responses from the people that they are interacting with. The higher up the hierarchy the more self-esteem relies on positive reinforcement. Validation builds self-esteem which affects the salience if identity roles. According to the salience hierarchy our identity is based on the views of other people, thus we are more committed/greater dependance with a particular identity.
In comparison with this George J. McCall and J.L.Simmons' Theory of Identity (1960) believe that identity is improvised as individuals seek to realise their various plans and goals. Identity is a driving force of behaviour. This occurs mostly within the mind, controlling the way one acts according to whether it pertains to a particular role that one wishes to achieve. However, people also need the approval (through both positive responses and expectations) of these role performances. Validation comes more from self than others, in comparison with Stryker's theory where validation comes from the views of other people.
Relating these two theories with Graphic Design, I believe Stryker's theory would be a more passive form of design, thinking about the target audiences wants and needs whereas McCall and Simmons theory would be an aggressive form of design eg, how you want the design to look rather than thinking about the audiences needs.
Id, ego, and super-ego are the three parts of the psychic apparatus defined in Sigmund Freud's structural model of the psyche; they are the three theoretical constructs in terms of whose activity and interaction our mental life is described. According to this model of the psyche, the id is the set of uncoordinated instinctual trends (instant gratification); the super-ego plays the critical and moralising role; and the ego is the organised, realistic part that mediates between the desires of the id and the super-ego. The super-ego can stop one from doing certain things that one's id may want to do.
I suppose you could relate the Id (instant gratification) with McCall and Simmons theory of identity, identity being a driving force working on passions and aggressions. Possibly Stryker's theory could relate to Ego, the ego operates based on the reality principle, which strives to satisfy the id's desires in realistic and socially appropriate ways. This could relate to constant need for validation and approval. The reality principle weighs the costs and benefits of an action before deciding to act upon or abandon impulses.
Word Count: 550
No comments:
Post a Comment