Identiteettikeskinen

Identiteettikeskinen is a Finnish term used to describe approaches, theories, or practices in which identity, in its personal, social, cultural, or digital forms, is placed at the center of analysis, design, or decision-making. The word combines identiteetti (identity) and keskinen (central/centralized), and it is deployed across disciplines to signal that self-definition and group identities guide choices, policies, and systems.

In sociology and cultural studies, identiteettikeskinen approaches examine how identities shape behavior, social interaction, and institutions, including identity formation, belonging, and rights-based policymaking. The concept also appears in discussions about how institutions respond to changing identities within multicultural or diverse societies.

In information technology and data governance, the term is used to describe methods and architectures that foreground identity in authentication, authorization, privacy, and personalization. An identity-centered perspective aims to align technical design with how users understand and present themselves, and with the permissions they are willing to grant.

In marketing and user experience, identiteettikeskinen design focuses on aligning products, services, and messaging with users’ self-concepts, values, and social identities, potentially improving relevance and engagement.

Critics of identiteettikeskinen approaches warn of risks such as essentializing individuals, reinforcing stereotypes, or enabling surveillance and exclusion if identity is treated as a sole or primary criterion. Proponents emphasize benefits in relevance, legitimacy, and user empowerment when identities are handled respectfully, transparently, and with consent.

See also: identity-based design, user-centered design, identity politics.