Understanding Identity - Audio
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Who are we? What shapes us into the people we are? Over the last 50 years advances in society and technology has meant that we can be whoever we want to be. Infertile couples have the chance of conceiving a child; a man can become a woman; if an organ fails, you can get a new one. But is it all for the greater good? There are people in today's society who wouldn't think twice about putting a patent on our biological and genetic heritage. The tracks on this album discuss issues such as identity, the relationship between the natural and the social sciences, and the colossal topic of ethnicity, especially in the UK. The material forms part of the course DD100, An introduction to the social sciences: understanding social change

Identity - what is it?

Definitions of identity, the existence of personal and social identity and the way in which concepts of identity have changed.
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Formation of Identity

Identities are formed by society and by individuals. Identities are created by people’s responses to us and our reactions to those responses.
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Changing identity

Ability to change our identities and how this has been influenced by developments in technology. Constraint of external factors.
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Shared Identity

Belonging to a group; the importance of viewing identity in terms of similarity as well as difference.
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Risk - what is it?

The increasing importance of risk assessment due to the developments of science and technology.
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Assessing risk

Risk assessments may be based on inaccurate models which give misleading results ending in disaster. Taking social as well as natural into account whe...
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Risk and trust

Public mistrust of government experts and the importance of transparency in building trust. Experts need an understanding of natural and social factor...
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