Exploration 4: Identity and Appearance

Launch Driving Questions:

● How does an individual's appearance and behavior reflect their immediate identity
projection?
● How appearance and behaviour influence our perception of others?

Key Vocabulary:

Identity: Identity refers to the characteristics, beliefs, values, and qualities that make a person
unique and distinguish them from others.

Perception: Perception is the process of interpreting and making sense of sensory information.
In the context of human interaction, it involves how individuals understand and interpret the
world around them, including other people.

Behavior: Behavior refers to the actions, reactions, and conduct of an individual in response to
internal and external stimuli. It encompasses both verbal and non-verbal actions.

Appearance: Appearance pertains to the outward physical characteristics of an individual,

including features such as clothing, grooming, body language, and other visible attributes.

An individual's appearance and behavior can reflect their immediate identity projection by
conveying aspects of their identity to others. For example, someone who dresses professionally
and speaks confidently may project an identity of competence and authority. Conversely,
someone who appears unkempt and avoids eye contact may project an identity of insecurity or
disinterest.

Influence on perception works both ways: our perception of others is influenced by their
appearance and behavior, and likewise, our own appearance and behavior can shape how
others perceive us. When we interact with others, we often make judgments and assumptions
based on their appearance and behavior, which can impact how we choose to engage with
them and the impressions we form of them.

Factors that influence our perception of others' identity:

1. Appearance and Behavior: As previously discussed, how individuals present themselves

through appearance and behavior can influence our perception of their identity. Visual cues
such as clothing, grooming, posture, and facial expressions convey information about a person's
identity, personality, and social status.

2. Cultural Stereotypes: Cultural stereotypes and preconceived notions about certain groups or
categories of people can influence how we perceive their identity. These stereotypes may be
based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, or occupation and can lead to biased
perceptions.

3. Interpersonal Communication:The way individuals communicate, including verbal and

non-verbal cues, can shape our perception of their identity. Factors such as tone of voice, body
language, and choice of words can convey aspects of a person's personality, values, and
background.

4. Social Context: The context in which we encounter others influences our perception of their
identity. For example, meeting someone in a professional setting versus a social gathering may
lead to different perceptions of their identity based on the expectations and norms associated
with each context.

5. Personal Bias and Prejudice:Our own biases, prejudices, and personal experiences can
influence how we perceive others' identity. Unconscious biases based on factors such as race,
gender, or socioeconomic status can impact our interpretations and judgments of others.

6. Media Representation:Media portrayals and representations of different groups of people can

shape our perception of their identity. Stereotypical depictions in media can reinforce existing
biases or challenge them, depending on the accuracy and diversity of representations.

Deep-Dive Drive Question

● What is the role of socio-cultural norms on how we choose to present ourselves?

Please find the meaning of the words Norms, Social Norms, Cultural Norms with examples of
both.

Arava could write the driving questions, along with the key vocabulary of both the stages.