A2 MEDIA STUDIES G325 SECTION B CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES

COLLECTIVE IDENTITY
Rebeccas A2 class work to be completed before 08_02_16

KEY TERMS 2 - COLLECTIVE IDENTITY

What is Collective Identity?
Collective Identity can be described as the following:
A collective identity refers to individuals' sense of belonging (the identity)
to a group (the collective).
Collective identity is the name given to the tendency of many
social movements to form a group self-image shaped by, but in
turn shaping the consciousness of, individual participants.
Collective identity is the term given to a group of individuals who share a
common characteristic, values, beliefs, attitudes with others of the same
group

Task 1 Vox Pops Different Collective Identities

Now go back to the Vox Pops on the blog and continue to watch: the
people will discuss the different collective groups they are part of and
their corresponding collective identities.
As you watch the Vox pops, write down the different groups mentioned
and any characteristics that identify that group.

Vox Pop

Collective Groups mentioned

Shared
Characteristics

A2 MEDIA STUDIES G325 SECTION B CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES

COLLECTIVE IDENTITY
Rebeccas A2 class work to be completed before 08_02_16

Task 2 Thinking about Collective Groups you belong to

We have listened to what other people think about collective groups and
those they belong to, now its your turn

Think about all of the collective groups you belong to. Fill out the grid
below and see if you belong to any collective groups not yet discussed:

Collective Group I Belong To

Shared Characteristics

A2 MEDIA STUDIES G325 SECTION B CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES

COLLECTIVE IDENTITY
Rebeccas A2 class work to be completed before 08_02_16

COLLECTIVE IDENTITY & STEREOTYPES

The Theorist David Buckingham has recently edited a book about identity and
young people. In it he identifies a number of ideas about the problems with
discussing identity and collective identity.

Task 3 BUCKINGHAM THEORY

o We are going to read through 2 quotes about Identity and Collective Identity
from Buckingham.
Quote 1:
on the one hand, Identity is something unique to each of uswe
assume it is more or less consistent over timeour identity is
something we uniquely possess: it is what distinguishes us from other
people. Yet on the other hand, identity also implies a relationship with
a broader collective or social groupwhen we talk about national
identity, cultural identity or gender identitywe imply that our identity
is partly something we share with other people. Here, identity is about
identification with others whom we assume are similar to us in some
significant ways.
Buckingham; Youth, Identity & Digital Media, 2008

In the box below, summarise what Buckingham means in the quote

above:

Quote 2:
in seeking to define their identity, people attempt to assert their
individuality, but also to join with others, and they work to sustain a
sense of status or self-esteemAs a result, the formation of identity
often involves a process of stereotypingthat allows people to
distinguish between themselves and their group
Ed Buckingham; Youth, Identity & Digital Media, 2008

o Summarise below what this tells us about identity, collective identity and
why it is complicated?

A2 MEDIA STUDIES G325 SECTION B CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES

COLLECTIVE IDENTITY
Rebeccas A2 class work to be completed before 08_02_16

AN OVERVIEW OF BUCKINGHAMS IDEAS ABOUT IDENTITY,

COLLECTIVE IDENTITY & STEREOTYPING
o The representation of Collective Identity is closely linked to the
production of stereotypes.
o A collective group is made up of lots of different people who share ONE
characteristic, so although these groups are made up of individuals who
are all different, they are easy to STEREOTYPE and attach specific
MESSAGES & VALUES to.
o In stereotyping different collective groups, their shared behaviour
becomes normalised and generalised it then weakens the individual
identity of the people within the group and reinforces one aspect about
their identity this creates a paradox.

TASK 4 Reflection
What is more important to you, your personal identity or
your collective identity?