The aim of this assignment is to describe the concept of symbols in the construction of identities. To explore the theories of visualisation and interpellation put forward by Mead and Althuser. To examine the link between symbols and representation in process of identities and to show how people perceptions of who we are is shaped by the images and symbols we give out and take on.

Identity is a chronological process started before we are born. Other people expectations of who we can are planted on us from birth. We have a surname, a probable place of birth, and a class and ethnic identity. As we develop we actively take up our own identities which, sometimes do not match those expectations. We hear statement such as, this is not quite how we imagine he or she would be.

Identity formation is a combination of who we are and how other people see us. It is about the social perception of the individual by the world we live in. Identity formation is a process of construction. We have to actively take up identities. You can not sa

Althusser argued that when people are recruited into identity positions, they are interpellated (Althusser 1971) When we take up a particular identity we not only recognise ourselves in it but feel that is who we are. Interpellation links the individual to the social. A good example of this is the way in which advertisements present certain images, which invites us to buy a particular product, which signifies success. We then buy these symbols which interpellate the identities we want other to see us as.

Identity is governed by the society in which we live.

We form an image of what a particular thing or situation should be, then we mark ourselves from it or identify with it. We picture what we want to be, then mark ourselves off from it. We are the same as the people who share the same identity. We generally tend to identify ourselves as what we are not, as oppose to what we are. For example, I am not a ?..even though I am a ?..

Some common words found in the essay are:
Mead Althuser, Age Concern, , mead argues, world live, particular identity, individual world live, understand conventions, individual world, identity formation, construction identities, mark ourselves, images symbols, identity develop,
Approximate Word count = 777
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)