Phenomenon of Social Identification: The Fundamental Problems

Abstract

Identification with other people is one of the most important mechanisms of the socialization process and formation of a person. In a traditional primitive society a group status of an individual was clear and straightforward: you are a part of a class, community, caste etc., in which there exist specific and quite rigid criteria of membership and behavioral norms. However, it is during the period of changes, when the obsolete way of life is tumbling down and a person is losing his or her habitual life benchmarks, when spiritual values that have been solid so far are being destroyed, and the question of personal identity becomes very important. This very fact makes the individual aspire to identify him or herself with one or another community, social structure, and a group, in order to obtain the accustomed sense of security and safety.