What is the difference between self and self identity?

Q: What do you mean by self

Self-identity refers to stable and prominent aspects of ones self-perception (e.g., I think of myself as a green consumer; Sparks & Shepherd, 1992). Researchers have added the concept of self-identity to the theory of planned behaviour in studies that explain organic food consumption choices.

Q: What is your self

Self-identities reflect the labels people use to describe themselves” (Biddle, Bank, and Slavings 1987, p. 326). For example, a persons self-identities may include the fact that she is a mother, a wife, a daughter, a social worker, and a blood donor.

Subtle Differences in the Self and Identity

Who are you? For many of us, the first answer to this question is likely to be ‘that depends’. Sometimes an answer to this question may rely on descriptions of our personalities: I’m kind, I’m determined, I’m sociable, I’m smart. Other times, role and relationship descriptions may seem most relevant to our sense of who we are: I’m a teacher, I’m a mother, I’m the coach, I’m single.
Still other times, the question of ‘Who am I?’ may be answered with reference to personal achievements (or lack thereof) or future ambitions, while other times, identification as a member of particular social categories may be of first importance: nationality when living or traveling abroad, or political affiliation during an election campaign. All of these types of self-description can be part of our self and identity.
Table of Contents Show

Subtle Differences in the Self and Identity
What exactly is the self?
Social Identity
Self-Identity
What do you mean by self
What are the two types of self and identity?
What is your self
What is the difference between self and social identity?

Self and identity are concepts that we use in everyday life to refer to our own existence as entities in the world, and to locate ourselves relative to the other people and things in our environments. Although these terms are often lumped together and are sometimes used interchangeably, subtle differences exist in what social psychologists typically mean by these terms.

Self is more often used to refer to people’s beliefs about themselves, about their own ideas of who they are, and their personal characteristics, abilities, experiences, emotions and agendas.
Our identity locates us in a world made up of different groups of people, and usually concerns the social groups and categories to which we do and do not belong. Our identity is affected by the importance of these groups to our sense of who we are and our attachment to these groups.

What exactly is the self?

The self consists of internal, external, and socially perceived attributes that are shaped by a number of factors, including culture, time, and motivation. According to William James (1890/1983), the self is defined by the material, social, and spiritual constituents of the perceived self as well as the perception of these constituents.

Perhaps the most tangible aspect of the self is the material self. James argues that external attributes such as possessions and family are just as much material aspects of one’s self as one’s body (James, 1890/1983). In other words, the “material” of your self includes your physical presence but also the clothes you select, the material goods you buy, and the people you call family.

The self is constituted by how you represent yourself in your own mind as well as the less tangible representations in the minds of other people. In other words, the self is partially represented socially through the identity or reputation that you have in other people’s eyes.

The self is also represented by what James called “spiritual” aspects of the self, which includes internal attributes that researchers more recently might call personality, attitudes, and consciousness. In other words, the self is reflected by your physical presence as much as your reputation for lighting up a party or hiding by the wall, your preference for chocolate over vanilla, and your innermost thoughts and strivings.

Since this classic definition, research has helped us understand how these aspects of self sometimes corresponds to each other and sometimes do not. Furthermore, research has shown that the centrality of these aspects to the definition of selfhood is affected by culture, temporal construal, and motivation (e.g., Markus & Kitayama, 1991; Markus & Nurius, 1986; Sedikides & Gregg, 2008; Swann, Pelham, & Krull, 1989).

Social identity refers to the set of characteristics by which a person is definitively recognizable or known by the society in which they live. These are characteristics that are attributed to the individual by others (the society). These characteristics serve as markers that indicate what that person is, in the eyes of others (their society). At the same time, this means that these characteristics put that person in the same group as other individuals who share the same attributes. Examples of social identities include being a father, mother, student, physician, lawyer, evangelical, homeless person, Catholic, etc.

Another way to define social identity is “Social identity is a person’s sense of who they are based on their group membership(s)”. This definition looks at social identity as perceived by the individual.

Self-Identity

While social identities group together individuals with the same characteristics, and therefore point out ways in which individuals are the same as others, self-identity sets us apart as distinct individuals. Self-identity defines our unique sense of ourselves and our relationship to the outside world. Dictionaries define self-identity as the conscious recognition of the self as having a unique identity. It is an awareness of and identification with oneself as a separate individual.

Social identity is the story the society (others) says about you while self-identity is the story you say of yourself. The story you tell yourself has a much more powerful impact on your life than the story other’s say about you.

Are you telling yourself limiting stories or expansive stories? Are you saying things like, “I’m not a good test taker”, “I fail when I take risks”, or “I’m not a good parent?”? These limiting stories wreak havoc on our self-identity and rob us of meaning in life.

Recommended articles for further reading

psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/201412/basics-identity

What do you mean by self

Self-identity refers to stable and prominent aspects of one's self-perception (e.g., 'I think of myself as a green consumer'; Sparks & Shepherd, 1992). Researchers have added the concept of self-identity to the theory of planned behaviour in studies that explain organic food consumption choices.

What are the two types of self and identity?

Other Self-Concept Theories.

Personal identity: The traits and other characteristics that make you unique..

Social identity: Who you are based on your membership in social groups, such as sports teams, religions, political parties, or social class..

What is your self

Self-identities reflect the “labels people use to describe themselves” (Biddle, Bank, and Slavings 1987, p. 326). For example, a person's self-identities may include the fact that she is a mother, a wife, a daughter, a social worker, and a blood donor.

Dictionaries define self-identity as the conscious recognition of the self as having a unique identity. It is an awareness of and identification with oneself as a separate individual. Social identity is the story the society (others) says about you while self-identity is the story you say of yourself.