Identity - Final Thoughts

Identity: In the end I have my own theoriesWenger and others in class (summarized by sum16) view identity as "a pivot between the social and the individual" (Wenger, 1998, pg. 145). This view was expressed to an extent that members of the class were compelled to stay an hour after scheduled class time on 4/17/08 and come to the conclusion that "according to Wenger, identity is negotiated through social interaction and that by yourself, you don't have an identity" (mdm392, 4/17/08 blog post). Obviously, I'll need to comment on this. I've expressed my opinion in class and in blog posts (sck123, 3/6/08, 4/8/08) that I believe identity resides within the individual. And, that the individual forms their identity through personal reflection and interactions with others. Parts of this identity are then shared with different communities and people. It appears to me that the discrepancy in my theory of identity (supported by mtt143) and Wenger's, lies in the locus of identity. Wenger, other class members and I believe that identity is negotiated and constructed by contact with others. But I believe that personal reflection has a significant impact on identity and that identity is located within the individual. This means that what Wenger and others in class define as identity, I view as the location of construction of identity.