Annotated Bibliography

Research on Development and Expression of Self Identity in Various Social Settings

Davidson, Cathy. “Project Classroom Makeover.” Miller and Spellmeyer, pp. 48-70.

                Davidson argues that the current educational system is outdated and hinders the expression and development of self identity because of its standardization. The top down system of teacher to pupil is force-driven and lacks involvement from the student end, subsequently lessening their interest. Davidson describes how standardized tests expect students to conform to a specific mold rather than develop individual talents. The green-haired girl in the classroom is an example of how true self expression in modern classrooms (and society) is somewhat frowned upon. I can use this source to show how the act of conforming to a set mold is a change of self identity according to setting.  

Johnson, Steven. “The Myth of the Ant Queen.” Miller and Spellmeyer, pp. 192-208.

                Johnson describes the effects of self organized systems, which rely on members pursuing individual tasks or operations that constitute their desired self identities. Since there is no hierarchical direction telling each member what to do, each is allowed to express their identities independently of command. I can use this source to show how this lack of structure leads to “organized complexity”, which is a portrayal of numerous self identities functioning smoothly and simultaneously.

Turkle, Sherry. “Selections from Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other.” Miller and Spellmeyer, pp. 458-478.

                Sherry claims that technology, namely social media, is becoming an extension of one’s self identity. The way humans control virtual realities is a statement toward who we are currently and our ideal versions of ourselves. Self identity is expressed in an unnatural way that adopts the use of technology to achieve optimal aesthetics; the idea of technology achieving its own identity on a human level is also explored. I can use this source to explain the impact of social media and technology on expressing one’s self identity.

Lessig, Lawrence. Free Culture: How Big Media Uses Technology and the Law to Lock down Culture and Control Creativity. New York: Penguin, 2004. Web.

                In Free Culture, Lessig claims that the movement of America from a “free culture” to a “permission culture” is slowly being made. He argues that creativity and self expression are being restricted because of copyrights being controlled and regulated too heavily by the government. His argument is that the development of self identity and thus creativity is heavily contingent upon the influence of others; if access is not allowed to work with what is offered by others, not much advancement will be made in terms of individual or larger scale development. I can use this source to show how self identity is shaped by the influence of others.

Twenge, Jean M., and W. Keith Campbell. "Age and Birth Cohort Differences in Self-Esteem: A Cross-Temporal Meta-Analysis." Personality and Social Psychology Review 5.4 (2001): 321-44. Web.

               Twenge provides statistical evidence of increases and decreases in self-esteem according to various ages within a lifetime. These spikes and falls are correlated to events in the environment of the subjects, such as divorce rates, unemployment, and more. Self esteem is a pivotal aspect of one’s self identity and it is often quite dependent upon the social setting one is in. I can use this source to provide statistical support of my claim that one’s self identity (and self esteem) is heavily shaped by the conditions and status of the respective social environment.