identity
eye-DEN-tih-tee
/aɪˈdɛntɪti/
The fact of who or what a person or thing is; individual self-concept and sense of unique individuality.
In Erik Erikson's developmental stage theory, identity formation is the central psychological task of adolescence.
The story behind the word. Derived from Late Latin 'identitas', which comes from Latin 'idem' meaning 'the same'. It originally expressed sameness over time—that a person remains the same unique individual across life.
Word relationships
- self-concept: 'Self-concept' is one's cognitive beliefs about oneself; 'identity' encompasses integrated self-definition and social alignment.
- individuality: 'Individuality' emphasizes being distinct from others; 'identity' covers both uniqueness and group membership.
- role confusion: Role confusion represents a lack of clear identity or self-direction.
Commonly confused with
- identification: 'Identification' is the act of proving identity or associating with a group; 'identity' is the core self-concept itself.
Word family
- identify (verb): To recognize or establish who someone is.
- identical (adjective): Exactly the same.
Collocations
- identity formation
- sense of identity
- identity crisis
- personal identity
Example sentences
- "Forming a coherent personal identity requires exploring diverse roles, values, and vocational aspirations." Erikson's psychological theory
- "Peer groups play a critical role in helping teens formulate their social identity." Youth culture study
Memory hook
Identity is how you Identify your inner self. Who you stay as over time.
When not to use
Do not confuse identity (self-concept) with identification (cards or physical proof documents) in psychological contexts.
Fun facts
- Erik Erikson coined the famous term 'identity crisis' during his studies on adolescent development.
Related words
Explore more words
adolescence, adolescent, persona, identity theft, puberty, brand
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