Identity is how you think about, describe, and present yourself. It can be made up of different roles, traits, and experiences. For example, an identity may include parent, survivor, dog owner, chronic illness sufferer, and kind person. Developing a strong identity can give meaning and direction in life.

Finish the sentence to describe yourself.

I AM A ___________________

There is a philosophical angle to answering “who am I?”.

A nutritionist would say you are what you eat.
A philosophy enthusiast may say you think; therefore, you are.
A determinist would say you are what you were born to be.
A non-determinist would say you are who you choose to be.

From all the information there is, we highlight a specific aspect related to our identity and choose to use that as our primary descriptor.

But we are not just one thing. We have not just ONE LABEL. We have many labels. Write at list four sentences following the pattern above.

1. ________________________________ 2. ________________________________

3. ________________________________ 4. _________________________________

Do you identify more strongly with one?

Now, do the following exercise.

How do I see others? How do others see me? Prejudices.

Prejudice refers to negative feelings, attitudes and beliefs toward individuals and groups based on preconceived notions about ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, age, religion and much more.

Understanding Prejudice and Its Impact on Society

1. What is the literal meaning of the word "prejudice" based on its Latin origins?
a. After judgment
b. Before judgment
c. Fair judgment
d. No judgment

2. Which theory suggests that people organize themselves into groups they belong to and don't belong to?
a. Realistic conflict theory
b. Scapegoating theory
c. Authoritarian personality theory
d. Social identity theory

3. According to the realistic conflict theory, what increases negative feelings between groups?
a. Competition for limited resources
b. Differences in physical appearance
c. Lack of social interaction
d. Genetic predisposition

4. Which theory proposes that certain individuals may be more susceptible to prejudice due to their personality traits?
a. Culture theory
b. Scapegoating theory
c. Authoritarian personality theory
d. Social identity theory

5. What is the primary difference between prejudice and discrimination?
a. Prejudice is always visible, while discrimination is not
b. Discrimination is a feeling, while prejudice is an action
c. Prejudice refers to attitudes, while discrimination refers to actions
d. There is no difference between the two terms

6. According to the article, which group faces the most discrimination worldwide?
a. Women
b. LGBTQ+ community
c. People of African Descent
d. Migrants and refugees

7. How can prejudice potentially affect an individual's health?
a. By improving access to healthcare services
b. By increasing stress levels only
c. By affecting access to education, housing, and healthcare
d. It has no impact on health outcomes

8. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a common form of prejudice?
a. Xenophobia
b. Ageism
c. Classism
d. Technophobia

9. What does the article suggest as a way to reduce prejudice?
a. Isolating different groups from each other
b. Encouraging interaction between different groups
c. Ignoring the existence of prejudice
d. Strengthening in-group bonds

10. According to the article, why might prejudice have evolved in humans?
a. To promote social harmony
b. To increase genetic diversity
c. To avoid potential dangers
d. To improve communication skills