Personal and Public Identities

Definition

Personal and public identities refer to the way individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others in different contexts, such as within their family, community, or society.

Analogy

Think of personal identity as a puzzle piece that represents who you are. Just like a puzzle piece fits into a larger picture, your personal identity is shaped by your interactions with others and contributes to the overall image of your public identity.

Related terms

Cultural Identity: Cultural identity refers to the sense of belonging and identification with a particular cultural group or heritage.

Gender Identity: Gender identity is an individual's deeply felt sense of being male, female, or something else, which may not necessarily align with their assigned sex at birth.

Social Identity: Social identity refers to the aspects of an individual's self-concept that are derived from their membership in various social groups (e.g., nationality, ethnicity, religion).