M5D1: Identity Change

Upon successful completion of this activity, students will be able to:

• Analyze social phenomena utilizing theoretical frameworks
• Identify ethical problems faced by individuals or communities and identify effective solutions
• Explain the concept of social deviance and provide examples of deviant behavior in social context

Chapters 23-25 detail the processes by which identity change takes place for two different kinds of stigmatized groups. As you read though these chapters, consider the ways in which your own identity has changed and developed throughout your life; at one point you were learning to “become” a kindergartener, while later you learned to become an athlete, musician, writer, gamer, dancer, etc.

After reading Chapters 23-25, describe the process by which your identity changed at some point in your life (this does not have to be an example of deviance). Use the models provided in Adler & Adler to discuss the various stages of your identity formation as you changed from “being” one identity to another. As you complete this exercise and read and respond to your classmates’ examples, try to identify as many of the “seven stages of [an identity] career” as you can. Also, see if you observe any ways in which your classmates are “using techniques of neutralization” as they discuss their various identity shifts.

Evaluation Criteria

Your initial post should be at least 250 words and must substantively integrate the assigned readings in the instructions with proper APA style formatting.