Intercultural Psychology: Analysis of Personal and Social Identities

This essay delves into the concepts of personal and social identities within the framework of intercultural psychology. It begins by defining personal identity as a static, unique numerical identity and contrasting it with social identity, which is linked to group membership and intergroup behaviors. The author uses a personal identity wheel to describe themselves as persistent, motivated, and sociable, while also reflecting on social identity in relation to cultural aspects, discrimination, and privilege. The essay then discusses actions based on characteristics from both identity wheels, including the generation of privileges associated with social identity. Reflection focuses on examples like favorite music, hobbies, age, and religious affiliation, highlighting the cultural significance and privileges associated with each. The essay concludes by referencing relevant academic sources to support the analysis of these complex concepts.

Running Head: Intercultural Psychology 1
Intercultural Psychology
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Intercultural Psychology 2
Personal vs social identities
Concepts
The concepts of personal identity and social identity are fundamental in the personal
development of different people. From a philosophical point of view, the concept of personal
identity deals with the concept of making a true person at all times where the personal identity
remains static at all times. Typically, it is a unique numerical identity of a person in a given
period. It reflects the identity of a person at one time and the identity of a person in a different
time where the identity reflect the same person (Sedikides & Brewer, 2015). On the other hand,
social identity refers to a portion of individual self-concept that can be represented in social
membership group. This applies social identity theory that predicts intergroup behaviors in group
status and legitimacy.
From personality identity wheel, the three main adjectives that can be applied to describe
personal identity include persistent, motivated and sociable. These are the main descriptive
words of myself that can be integrated with concepts of personal identity wheel. On the other
hand, social identity is a reflection of individuals in all cultural aspects that demonstrate the
relationship between social and cultural identification. The issues of discrimination, privileges,
and whiteness are very applicable in personal identity and social identity (Green et al., 2007).
Discrimination is associated with whiteness where individuals with different skin colour are
privileged based on the personal and social overview.
Action
The design applied in action was based on characteristics made in the personal identity
wheel and social identity wheel. The completion of the two wheels revealed two characteristic
draws from social and personal identity (Hattie, 2014). The implication of these characteristics
was to determine the view of identity in the society. Again, 20 privileges were generated from
one characteristic in social identity. The members of the selected group were expected to enjoy
these privileges from social identity perspectives.

Intercultural Psychology 3
Reflection
There are two examples selected in both personal identity wheel and social identity wheel.
Form personal identity wheel, the two examples that I selected are favorite music and favorite
hobby. On the other hand, the two examples of the social identity that I selected are age and
religious or spiritual affiliation. The example of favorite music is very important to personal
identity because it defines the orientation of a person in the cultural aspect. The favorite hobby of
a person also establishes the originality and personal interests (Brewer & Pickett, 2014). From
social identity, the main character that can be selected is gender. There are 20 privileges
associated with age.
First, other people fail to see you as a sexless being. Second, people assume you are heard
to hear when speaking to you thus making them raise their voice. Again, age demographic is
represented on TV proportionately. Again, one is view as technologically literate. People tend to
respect you based on age where people do not automatically assume you are slow in doing
things. Also, individuals do not overlook you when providing job opportunities. Moreover, the
privilege of open-mindedness is guaranteed based on age. In that connection, it is challenging to
be dismissed. Another privilege is physical fitness. There is no ignorance by advertisers on goods
and services you consume. Again, your appearance is views culturally upright. Lastly, age brings
the privilege of independence in citizenship.

Intercultural Psychology 4
References
Green, M. J., Sonn, C. C., & Matsebula, J. (2007). Reviewing whiteness: Theory, research, and
possibilities. South African Journal of Psychology, 37 (3), 389-419.
Brewer, M. B., & Pickett, C. L. (2014). The social self and group identification. The social self:
Cognitive, interpersonal and intergroup perspectives, 4, 255.
Hattie, J. (2014). Self-concept. Psychology Press.
Sedikides, C., & Brewer, M. B. (Eds.). (2015). Individual self, relational self, collective self.
Psychology Press.