Who is Ali

I think chapter 4 on identity and perception had so many great things to say. I agree with everything the book said about how communicating with others shapes us and our identity, perception of ourselves and others can be misconstrued, and how we all have different identities depending on where we are or who we are with. Communicating with others and society definitely shapes us because we are able to get feedback. If we do or say something others don't like, they communicate that to us and we most likely change. That is shaping and creating us as a person. Everybody uses impression management, whether they like it or not. We all have multiple selves. I have the student self, the daughter self, the friend self, the work self, the girlfriend self, the sister self. I am different in each of these groups. Some have some crossover where I am very similar in a couple different situations, but overall I am a different self within each setting. Here are just a few things I thought of that I think definitely shaped me throughout my life: female, daughter, sister, girlfriend, student, native Californian, San Diego native, youngest of four, straight, attended public schools all my life, lived in the same home for all 21 years of my life (until now), parents are not divorced, non-religious household, white appearing. I could probably come up with more, but these are just some things I came up with in class that definitely communicated something to me, shaped my ideas, values, and beliefs, and the way I act. That is my identity and who I am. One example of my identity that many in the bay area can relate to is the word "Hella." I am a San Diego native and we make fun of the word "hella" down there, so when I moved up here I vowed NOT to give in and use "hella" so I can keep my identity with San Diego. I want to hold on to that and not lose it. Another example is being the youngest of four. I have an older brother and two older sisters. Seeing them grow up I got a heads-up on life, if you will. I saw examples of things to do and not to do. I feel I was a little better prepared because they were models for me. Also, they would tease me and make fun of me for stuff and I took it to heart. What they said was important to me and I believed them, so I would do or not do certain things based on their feedback. I feel it matured me a little faster. Communication definitely shapes your identity.