User:CDLR50/Evaluate an Article

Which article are you evaluating?
(Identity (social science))

Why you have chosen this article to evaluate?
(Briefly explain why you chose it, why it matters, and what your preliminary impression of it was.)

I chose this article because as a Third-cultural Individual (TCI) I have struggled to find my identity. I have also worked with immigrants and become aware of the cultural challenges they face in maintaining or "reconstructing" their identity in new environments. I believe identity matters because it is rooted in self, and in the absence of self-concept, self-esteem, individuality, social structure, and community, one can feel aimless and disconnected. Migration is on the rise, which will further challenge identity, adding importance to its research and definition.

Evaluate the article
(Compose a detailed evaluation of the article here, considering each of the key aspects listed above. Consider the guiding questions, and check out the examples of what a useful Wikipedia article evaluation looks like.)

This article is informative and focuses on more recent psychological and social theories of identity. Although it starts strong, it fades in the latter sections. More attention is needed in the research of prehistoric aspects of identity, cultural and religious diversity, and current implications. Certain sections are well-developed; however, as mentioned above, others are underdeveloped or hardly even mentioned.

Identity is a multi-faceted topic with varying definitions and levels of complexity. At one end of the spectrum, there is the inner essence of the self, private and intimate, and on the other, there is how identity is evidenced by our gestures, how we cut our hair and the clothes we wear. Our identity is also formed and developed by our interactions with family, community and our ethnic heritage, or the lack of it. Encapsulating this is not an easy task. I commend the contributors.

LEAD SECTION

The introductory sentence is lacking in its definition of identity. Identity goes beyond a person’s character or characteristics as it defines who and what they are. Their sense of self. However, the “self” portion of identity is not defined there. Although identity is about how we are characterized or how we characterize ourselves, it is also about a person’s essential being. In the third paragraph, it states that “self is distinct from identity,” however in the first paragraph, it talks of ego identity being referred to as self. Although there may be differences between identity and self, the sense of self is a strong component of identity, and this should be better defined in the lead section.

I feel the lead section could at least give a nod to anthropology, philosophy, religion, and prehistoric concepts of identity. Perhaps addressing history before the more recent social and psychological concepts of identity.

I do not think the lead section is overly detailed. However, it could be more concise. The last sentence, for example, is difficult to understand. Words like “stable ubiquitous” require further research. The readers may prefer it if the wording is kept in plain language.

CONTENT

In the first paragraph, the author uses the words “feeling” in reference to ego, self, or “sense of continuity.” From the information given, identity is more than a “feeling.” A different word could be used here. It is also unclear what “feeling” is being referred to in this sentence.

In the first paragraph of the Social Psychology section, I think the quotations around “psychological” and “sociological” make the intro confusing. It should just state the differences between these two types of social psychology and their definition of identity.

The sentence, “Identity is made evident through the use of markers such as language, dress, behavior, and choice of space,” touches on an important aspect of identity; how we present ourselves. However, more could be added on how identity is evidenced. There is a lot of content about how identity is developed and less about how identity is demonstrated.

The section, In Religion, is lacking content on religions outside of Christianity. Hinduism, Judaism, and Buddhism are some of the oldest religions and could be further explored in this section. The use of the Parable of the Lost Sheep as a rediscovery of identity is random and subjective. Overall, this section could be better developed, especially when considering how much a person's faith and beliefs influence their sense of self and identity.

The Identity Changes section could also be more fully developed since this is how identity is most currently affected.

Another section that would be worth including is the lack of or loss of identity, or how migration and globalization affects identity. Such as in the case of displaced persons, migrants, or refugees. The migration of sociocentric cultures to egocentric cultures can cause alienation and affect one's identity. Underdeveloped identity is covered under the theories of identity, and the section on Identity Changes also touches on this, but it is not covered specifically.

Finally, a section on Prehistoric Identity and diverse Cultural and Ethnic concepts of identity is lacking. Most of the article focuses on more recent concepts of identity; however, without understanding the history, it is difficult to fully appreciate these modern definitions and how identity has evolved.

NEUTRALITY

This article is neutral but underrepresents historical views, religions, marginalized populations, and current implications.

CITATIONS

There are several places where page numbers are missing, or better citations are needed.

Citations are needed for the bullet points in the Implications section.

There is a mix of current and older references which is appropriate in providing a balanced overview of this subject.