Abstract

“Identity” is one of the most attractive and interesting notions of today’s world. Identity indicates an attribute, a characteristic. Identities with a feature or characteristic manifest above all differences. The function to be attributed to identity is a function of classification, which indicates differences. Identity in its most general sense includes all the characteristics of the individual. Questions like how an individual perceives himself or is perceived by society are related with the notion of identity. However, personality is an organization. Personality is the organization of the individual with and within identities. Considering that culture is the major determinant of identities, the rigidity or flexibility of culture also determines that of identity. Various forms of belonging prevail with reference to definition of culture, which also shape the identity. “Positive sense of identity” attained by the resolution of the problem of identity development in the adolescence period is necessary for inhibition of psycho-neurotic and neurotic problems. Development of such a sense of identity, which may be considered positive for the individual, is dependent upon the reciprocal nature of individual’s relation to the social group in which he lives, that is; to a group, culture or nation. The sense of belonging which is felt most strongly in the adolescence period may be explained as “identification of oneself as a member of a definite community as conscious of existing within it.”

Keywords: Nation; Identity; Loss of identity; Psychoneurotic identity