There are three approaches to identity: social science, interpretive, and critical.
A dialectical view of identity emphasizes that identities are both static (as described by the social science perspective) and dynamic (described by the interpretive and critical perspectives).
Identity is expressed through language and labels.
Identities also develop in relation to minority and majority group membership.
Identities are multiple and reflect gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, class, nationality, regionality, and other aspect of our lives.
Identity characteristics sometimes form the basis for stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination.
Increasing numbers of multicultural people live “on the borders” between two or more cultures—based on race, ethnicity, religion, and nationality.
Communication plays an important role in identity—identities are formed and expressed through communication.
