identít

Identít is a term used to denote the sense of self and position held by a person or group. In philosophy, sociology, and psychology, identít encompasses both personal identity—the sense of an enduring self across time—and social or group identities, such as cultural, national, or gender identities. The concept is often discussed in terms of how a person sees themselves and how others categorize them.

Two broad strands appear in the literature: personal identity, which concerns continuity of self over time, and social identity, which arises from belonging to groups and from social roles. Theories range from essentialist views, which suppose a core, unchanging essence, to constructivist or narrative approaches, which emphasize fluidity, change, and the stories people tell about themselves. Core components typically include memories, beliefs, values, personality traits, and the ability to articulate a coherent life story. Identity is shaped by biography, family, culture, language, social context, and life experiences, and it can evolve during transitions such as adolescence, migration, or changing social roles.

Identít manifests in multiple domains: personal identít, social identít, cultural identít, national identít, gender identít, sexual identít, and, in modern contexts, digital identít. Digital identít refers to online presence, credentials, and data traces, raising questions about privacy, verification, and control over one’s self-presentation. In society, identít informs inclusion, representation, and politics; conflicts over identity can influence policy, media representation, and social norms.

Researchers study identít through self-report measures, interviews, and discourse analysis, recognizing that identít is dynamic and context-dependent, often negotiated rather than fixed.