Identity is a term that is frequently portrayed as what makes a person or a thing is, and “is a complex one, shaped by individual characteristics, family dynamics, historical factors, and social and political contexts” (Tatum, 2000). Every single person has their own identity, in which this is what makes them different and similar from everyone else. Our name, our age, where we live, our culture, and our hobbies are some aspects of the identity and are even just the very few examples of what constructs our entire identity. Being able to share these features of identity to other people always seemed so fun, as people usually loved to share things about themselves. However, what people don’t tend to notice or even care about, is how their identity is truly formed. Have a look at the identity map shown below.
An identity map consists of identity categories and personality traits under those. The identity categories around are supposedly what builds the identity of a person, and the personality traits are the qualities developed by a person because of that specific identity category. The map shown above is my own identity map. According to it, my categories include ‘only child’, ‘musician’, ‘photographer’, ‘Filipino’, ‘volunteer’ and ‘procrastinator’. Now, obviously, there aren’t only six identity categories that a person has, however, it is very difficult to think of all of them throughout your lifetime (and of course, because I can’t fit them all). According to the map, you have to include the personality traits created by your experience of that specific category. However, there is a transparent issue being depicted here, and that is that our personality traits are not developed because of one certain identity category. They blossom and are even explored throughout our lifetime because of our numerous different experiences in life.
For example, the identity category of ‘volunteer’. Under that section, the qualities are ‘committed’ and ‘passionate’. I didn’t just become passionate or committed after I volunteered. However, I am definitely certain that volunteering for special particular events helped me enhance my commitment and my passion towards specific things. Another example would be the ‘hospitable’ and ‘family-oriented’ under the ‘Filipino’ category. Nearly everyone knows that Filipinos are very hospitable and family-oriented, however, not all Filipinos were hospitable nor family-oriented because they were a part of this culture. I became hospitable because that’s how I was taught by my family, and I became family-oriented due to my strong bond relationships with some of my family members.
In conclusion, the identity map is to show what our major personality traits are and which ones really have a significant impact on certain identity categories. Just remember, we gain our personality traits due to what we experience or what situation we’re in. And the formation of our identity is that “while beginning in childhood, gains prominence during adolescence, and is faced with physical growth, sexual maturation, and impending career choices, adolescents must accomplish the task of integrating their prior experiences and characteristics into a stable identity” (Erikson, 1950).
