Cambridge IGCSE Sociology: What Influences Our Social Identity? (0495)

Social identity is how we see ourselves and how others see us because of the groups we belong to. Key question 2.3 of Cambridge IGCSE Sociology (0495) asks What influences our social identity? The syllabus answers through four areas: the key aspects of identity (age, gender, ethnicity and social class), the digital self and online identities, the influence of globalisation, and postmodernist claims that identity is now chosen rather than given. Exam answers should show how each influence works and weigh the claim that people freely choose who they are.

This guide extends the identity section of the Paper 1 overview guide.

Syllabus coverage

Cambridge IGCSE Sociology 0495 (2025–2027), 2.3 What influences our social identity?

• 2.3.1 Social identity — key aspects: age, gender, ethnicity, social class; impact of each on individuals and social groups in different societies.
• 2.3.2 The digital self and online identities — positive and negative impacts of social networks, social media and virtual communities on identity.
• 2.3.3 Globalisation — (a) influence on individual and social/cultural identities, e.g. cultural defence, hybrid identities, homogenisation of identities; (b) positive and negative impacts on identity of cultural diversity, multiculturalism and global culture.
• 2.3.4 Postmodernist views of identity as chosen rather than given — digital identities; identities linked to consumption patterns and lifestyle in a “pick and mix” society.

How does age shape identity?

Age categories such as childhood, youth, adulthood and old age are socially constructed — their meaning varies between societies and over time. In some societies young people take on adult work and marriage early; in others, long education extends youth into the twenties. Jane Pilcher (Age and Generation in Modern Britain, 1995) shows age as a source of both identity and inequality. Older people may be respected as wise elders in some cultures and stereotyped as dependent in others.

How does gender shape identity?

Sociologists distinguish sex (biological) from gender (socially learned masculinity and femininity). Ann Oakley (1972) described how families shape gender identity through manipulation and canalisation. Gender identities differ widely between societies, and in many places they are changing as women enter education and paid work — though expectations about domestic roles often change more slowly.

How does ethnicity shape identity?

Ethnicity refers to shared culture, such as language, religion, customs, history and sense of origin. Ethnic identity can be strengthened by family, religious institutions and community festivals, and by experiences of discrimination that draw a group together. Tariq Modood and colleagues’ Fourth National Survey of Ethnic Minorities in Britain (Ethnic Minorities in Britain, 1997) found that religion was an important part of identity for many minority ethnic respondents.

How does social class shape identity?

Social class is based on economic position — occupation, income and wealth. Class can influence accent, tastes, leisure, values and aspirations. Pierre Bourdieu argued that cultural capital (knowledge, tastes and skills valued by dominant groups) is passed on in families and helps reproduce class. Some sociologists argue class identity is weakening as traditional industries decline; others point out that class still shapes life chances.

What is the digital self?

The digital self is the identity people present and build online through profiles, posts, images and interactions.

Positive impacts	Negative impacts
Freedom to explore and express identity, especially for marginalised young people	Pressure to present a perfect image; comparison and low self-esteem
Virtual communities connect people with shared interests worldwide	Cyberbullying and online harassment
Maintaining ties with family across distance, including migrant families	“Filter bubbles” reinforce narrow views
Platforms for activism and minority voices	Privacy risks and permanent digital records

danah boyd’s It’s Complicated (2014), based on interviews with American teenagers, argued that young people use social media to extend their social lives rather than replace them, while Sherry Turkle’s Alone Together (2011) warned that constant connection may weaken face-to-face relationships.

How does globalisation influence identity?

Globalisation is the growing interconnection of societies through trade, travel, migration, media and technology. The syllabus names three possible influences:

• Homogenisation of identities — global brands, media and platforms make young people in many countries share similar fashions, music and values, sometimes described as Westernisation.
• Hybrid identities — people combine elements of different cultures, for example the children of migrants mixing the language, food and music of two societies. Stuart Hall wrote about identities formed in diasporas.
• Cultural defence — when a culture feels threatened, people may strengthen their traditional or religious identity in response.

Impacts of diversity (2.3.3 b):

	Positive	Negative
Cultural diversity	Exposure to new foods, languages, ideas	Misunderstanding and prejudice
Multiculturalism	Different groups keep their identities while sharing citizenship	Critics claim it can lead to separate communities
Global culture	Shared global connections, global youth culture	Loss of local languages and traditions

The global success of South Korean pop music and television is a useful example: it shows global culture is not only Western, and that local cultures can become global.

Is identity now chosen rather than given?

Postmodernist view (2.3.4): in a “pick and mix” society people build identities from consumption and lifestyle — brands, music, fashion, fitness, online communities — rather than inheriting them from class, religion or place. Zygmunt Bauman described modern life as “liquid”, with identities constantly being remade. Digital identities allow people to present different selves on different platforms.

Criticisms: choice depends on money and access; class, gender and ethnicity still limit options; many people keep strong inherited identities based on family and religion; postmodernism may describe affluent young people more than others.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between hybrid identity and homogenisation? Homogenisation means identities becoming the same; hybridity means new mixed identities that combine different cultures.

Does social media make identity more free? It can give more room to experiment, but online identities are also shaped by peer pressure, algorithms and the platform’s rules.

How should I answer “Evaluate the view that identity is chosen”? Set postmodernist arguments about consumption and digital identities against evidence that age, gender, ethnicity and class still shape identity, then give a judgement.

Sources

• Cambridge International, Cambridge IGCSE Sociology 0495 syllabus for 2025, 2026 and 2027, key question 2.3.
• Studies are named with years in the text.

Related pages: social control and identity revision notes | social control and identity practice questions | Paper 1 revision notes