Understanding Identity (An Arnold Publication)

Identity has become a buzzword that we hear about in a range of contexts, from concern with the self expressed through therapy, to identity crises that operate on the global arena. This book offers the first introduction to the lively debates surrounding the concept of identity. Drawing on examples of gender, ethnic, age and work identities, as well as those linked to place and nation, this collection explores personal, social and cultural identities. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the book maps out contemporary debates about identity within sociology, cultural studies, media studies, social psychology and political science. Each chapter addresses the variety of ways in which theories about identity seek to resolve the tension between viewing identity as being fixed and stable, or fluid and changing.