AS Comms - Example answer for Question 2 - Groups

Choose one of the statements below in order to explore the relationship between our individual identity and the groups we belong to:

 

a)   Belonging to a group inevitably involves repressing or altering our individual identity so that we can fit in with the group’s norms and practices

 

b)   Belonging to a group enables us to freely express who we are in the knowledge that we will be accepted and valued

 

 

c)   Belonging to a group offers a structured, safe arena within which to discover and explore who we are as individuals

 

 

Introduction

Show understanding of key terms of question and whether you agree/disagree with the statement

 

I believe that statement B best describes the way in which we construct our individual identity and the groups that we belong to. I think that above all, humans are social creatures and we rely on the support of different groups at key points in our life. By being accepted by different groups we are able to learn more about who we are because we are continually sharing information about ourselves and comparing ourselves to others. This might be through shared interests and codes of communication in friendship groups at school or college, or it could be by providing us with role models in the family groups or within the work place. I think that whilst sometimes groups might make us behave in particular ways, most of the time we are able to express ourselves freely through the connections we make.

 

 

 

 

Paragraph One

Focus on a theory of identity and you could apply this to the question – include examples from your own experiences

 

One way in which we are immediately brought into contact with a group is through our key agents of socialisation which, for most of us, is firstly through our primary agents of socialisation – our parents. The family is the first group we belong to and provides us a clear sense of identification, for example some researchers found if you ask someone very young who they are they are then they will probably tell you they are someone’s son or daughter, or that they have a brother or sister. When I was younger the fact that I had supportive parents increased my self-esteem and made me more confident. Looking back I can see that some of the attitudes and values I still have today, such as being creative and standing up for myself are the result of the first group I belonged to, my family.

 

 

 

Paragraph Two

Focus on another theory of identity and explore this through examples

 

Furthermore, with my friendship group at school I can see that this group, or ‘team’ as Goffman would term it, really helped me to discover who I was and express my own personality. My close friends always encouraged me to develop by giving me positive feedback – for example when I decided to enter writing competitions as a teenager it was my friendship group who made me believe I could succeed (self-fulfilling prophecy). Without them I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do this. When we got older and started going out in town we always got ready together, doing our hair and listening to music, in this way all the members of the group were supporting each other’s self-presentation. In fact, most of the fun of going out was being part of the group (rather than meeting anyone new!) I found that I revealed more of my hidden self and reduced my blind self through the conversations we had when we all got together.

 

 

Paragraph Three

Focus on a final element of identity

 

When I got my first part time job, I became a member of another kind of group where I was accepted and valued. I worked in a busy restaurant and it was often stressful dealing with difficult customers. The other waitresses I worked with always supported me and made me laugh when things were really hectic – we had shared codes of communication, such as the names we gave to the chefs and certain customers. I also really looked up to one older girl who was studying at university, in a way she became my intellectual ideal self as I saw it what it was possible to achieve if you worked hard.

 

 

Counter-Argument

Any examples of the opposite happening? Any elements of theories you don’t think always apply in group situations?

 

Of course, some people could argue that my experiences of belonging in groups didn’t really allow me to freely express myself – it just moulded me into the cultural, social and educational expectations of others. I would agree that there have been points in my life where I have not said exactly what is on my mind because I don’t want to upset the group. For example, I am always positive and supportive to my friends when we are discussing relationships (even if I secretly sometimes think they are in the wrong!) You could say in this way I am being cynical and playing my role within the group – which is often the listener.

 

 

Conclusion

Come back to the key terms, how far do you now agree or disagree with the statement?

 

In conclusion though, without the experiences of belonging to supportive groups, I don’t think I’d be the person I am today. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs we all have ‘belonging needs’  and without the love, affectation and feedback we get from being part of groups we cannot achieve our own sense of self-worth. Without groups I would not be able to achieve my individual potential.