Social Identity

Social identity refers to an individual’s sense of self derived from perceived membership in social groups, such as race, gender, class, religion, or nationality. In sociology, social identity is central to understanding how individuals locate themselves within society and how group affiliations shape behavior, perception, and social interaction. The concept emerges prominently in social identity theory, which examines how in-group and out-group dynamics influence self-concept and intergroup relations. Social identities are socially constructed, fluid, and context-dependent, often intersecting to produce complex experiences of privilege or marginalization. They play a vital role in shaping attitudes, collective action, and social cohesion, while also serving as grounds for exclusion, discrimination, or solidarity. Sociologists explore how institutions, media, and historical narratives reinforce or challenge social identities. Understanding social identity illuminates the interplay between individual agency and structural forces in the formation of social belonging and social inequality.