Collective identity

Spectator cards complement a mass dance display, Kaeseong, North Korea

The term collective identity may refer to a variety of concepts. In general however, these concepts generally pertain to phenomena where an individuals' perceived membership in a social group impacts upon their own identity in some way. The idea of a collective identity has received attention in a wide variety of academic fields. In psychology, and in particular social psychology, this has led to a vast research literature and concerted scientific study. Most archetypal perhaps being Henri Tajfel’s and John Turner's work in developing social identity theory.^[1][2]

Collective consciousness

Ambiguity about the definition of collective identity may be reduced by distinguishing collective identities from collective consciousnesses. While in the case of a collective identity psychological activity occurs at the level of the individual, a collective consciousness would describe scenarios in which multiple individuals (no longer acting in autonomy) comprise of a network which possesses its own psychological characteristics and agency. Collective consciousnesses are often featured in fiction (and in particular, in science fiction), and are sometimes described as hive minds. Popular fictional examples that illustrate the idea of collective consciousnesses include:

• The Borg
• The Executrix Council

Evolutionary function of collective identity and the means of reaching it

Joseph Jordania suggested that in human evolutionary history collective identity was crucial for the physical survival of hominids and early humans.^[3] As individual hominids were too weak and slow to survive predators on their own^[4], in the most critical for survival moments (predator attacks, combat situations, mortal danger to your children) humans enter the altered state of consciousness where they do not feel fear and pain, do not question the behavior of other members of their group, and are ready to sacrifice their lives for evolutionary more important goal (like the survival of their children or the group). Humans sometimes do not have memory of these critical moments^[5]. According to Jordania, human ability to follow the rhythm in big groups, to sing together in harmony, to dance for many hours and enter the ecstatic state, as well as the tradition of body painting, were all the parts of first universal rituals, that were primarily developed as the means to change each individual neural activity (through the release of neuro-chemicals), in order to reach the state of collective identity. In this state the needs for the group (keen) survival were overriding the instincts of individual survival.

See also

• Cultural identity
• Communalism
• Groupthink
• Identity crisis (psychology)
• Identity politics
• Team sports
• Battle trance
• Nationalism

External links

• Globalization and Autonomy Glossary Entry
• Collective Identity and Expressive Forms
• What a Mighty Power We Can Be
• Perception of the minority's collective identity and voting behavior: The case of the Palestinians in Israel
• Collective memory and collective identity in German war prisoner camps

References

1. ^ Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In W. G. Austin & S. Worchel (Eds.), The social psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 33–47). Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole
2. ^ Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1986). The social identity theory of intergroup behaviour. In S. Worchel & W. G. Austin (Eds.), Psychology of intergroup relations (pp. 7–24). Chicago, IL: Nelson-Hall.
3. ^ Joseph Jordania, 2011. Why do People Sing? Music in Human Evolution,pg 98-102
4. ^ Joseph Jordania, 2011. Why do People Sing? Music in Human Evolution,pg 92-95
5. ^ Joseph Jordania, 2011. Why do People Sing? Music in Human Evolution,pg 175-177